Julian Nagelsmann names his first Germany squad – three Premier League stars included

Former Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann has announced his 26-man Germany squad for the upcoming international friendlies against the United States and Mexico.

After a dreadful run of results, Die Mannschaft sacked Hansi Flick last month in the wake of a 4-1 rout at the hands of their 2022 World Cup executioners Japan.

Interim boss Rudi Voller got the national team back on the rails with a morale-bolstering 2-1 triumph over bitter rivals France in an exhibition match last time out.

It’s now up to Nagelsmann to pick up where his predecessor left off and help Germany build momentum ahead of next summer’s European Championships that will take place in their country.

The 36-year-old probably wants to do some experiments to reinvigorate the sleeping giants, which could be one of the reasons he has made several surprise choices.

Veteran defender Mats Hummels, who last featured for Germany at Euro 2020, is about to return to the squad alongside three other Borussia Dortmund stars.

Niklas Sule, Julian Brandt and Niclas Fullkrug have also been called up, with Bayern stars Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Leroy Sane and Thomas Muller also on the list.

At age 32, Union Berlin striker Kevin Behrens is in line for his international debut after enjoying a phenomenal start to the new Bundesliga campaign.

Bayer Leverkusen prodigy Florian Wurtz and ever-improving AC Milan centre-back Malick Thiaw headline the group of up-and-coming youngsters.

Nagelsmann has also included three established Premier League stars in his first Germany squad.

Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno will likely be Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s deputy.

In-form Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Pascal Gross faces stiff competition in the engine room, with Barcelona’s Ilkay Gundogan the ideal candidate to partner Kimmich in the double-pivot.

Arsenal utility man Kai Havertz has made the cut despite blowing hot and cold during his early days at the Emirates Stadium.

The former Chelsea man scored his first Premier League goal for the Gunners in a 4-0 demolition of Bournemouth last weekend.

Germany squad

Goalkeepers: Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona), Kevin Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt), Bernd Leno (Fulham), Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim).

Defenders: Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Malick Thiaw (AC Milan), Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Niklas Sule (Borussia Dortmund), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Robin Gosens (Union Berlin).

Midfielders: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Brandt (Borussia Dortmund), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Pascal Gross (Brighton), Jonas Hofmann (Bayer Leverkusen), Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich), İlkay Gundogan (Barcelona), Robert Andrich (Bayer Leverkusen), Chris Fuhrich (VfB Stuttgart).

Forwards: Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Niclas Fullkrug (Borussia Dortmund), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Kevin Behrens (Union Berlin).