Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega has been called up by Julian Nagelsmann for the first time. … [+] (Photo by Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
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Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega is among the surprise call-ups in Julian Nagelsmann’s latest Germany squad. On Thursday, the Bundestrainer announced his 23-player squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League games against Bosnia (Nov.16) and Hungary (Nov.19).
New in the squad for the first time is Ortega. The Manchester City goalkeeper was nominated alongside Oliver Baumann and Alexander Nübel. Baumann and Nübel are currently sharing the no.1 position in the absence of injured Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
It will, therefore, be interesting to see how Ortega fits into the goalkeeper hierarchy. On paper, the 32-year-old Hofgeismar native would be a perfect Ter Stegen replacement. Like Manuel Neuer at Bayern or Ter Stegen at Barca, Ortega is a ball-playing goalkeeper who is currently playing at Man City under Pep Guardiola.
The problem, however, is that Ortega isn’t a regular starter. The German is currently the no.2 behind Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson at Man City, a situation that the German hoped to avoid at the start of the campaign, as Ederson was heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia. That transfer fell through, and Ortega is still looking for regular playing time.
Although second in the hierarchy behind Ederson, Guardiola highly values Ortega. “A world-class goalkeeper, an exceptional, exceptional goalkeeper,” Guardiola has said when asked about the German national team player.
Ortega (r.) has been sharing goalkeeper duties at Man City with Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson (r.). … [+] (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
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The question is what the Germany call-up will do to Ortega’s future? Thus far this season, Ortega has managed just four games across all competitions for Man City, and there is no doubt that he is good enough to start for another club. With that in mind, it only appears to be a matter of time for Ortega to be linked with a winter transfer. In the Bundesliga, Bayern and Bayer Leverkusen could be potential destinations.
As for the Germany squad, Ortega wasn’t the only surprise. Back in the team are Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha and playmaker Julian Brandt. Both have been part of a Dortmund team that has been inconsistent this season. But with Germany already qualified for the playoffs and needing just three points to win the group from the last two matches, Nagelsmann has room to experiment.
Among the surprises was also the fact that Paul Wanner opted to refuse a call-up for the senior team. The 18-year-old super talent, who is currently on loan from Bayern Munich at Heidenheim, wants to play a complete season in the Bundesliga first before deciding whether to represent Germany or Austria.
It was a decision that surprised a few in Germany, but makes sense. First of all, Wanner is currently a part of Germany’s U21, which will give the German Football Federation (DFB) the inside track over Austria. Wanner hopes to play in the U21 European Championships with Germany next summer. If everything goes as planned, expect Wanner to represent Germany over Austria sometime in the new year.
Also not in the squad are Waldemar Anton (Stuttgart) and Jonathan Burkardt (Mainz), who will miss the international window with injuries. The two join Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich), David Raum (RB Leipzig), and Niclas Füllkrug (West Ham) on the list of players out with injuries. Back in the squad after missing the October window with injuries are Jamal Musiala (Bayern), Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Benjamin Henrichs (Leipzig) and Robin Koch (Frankfurt).