Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann calls up six new faces for March friendlies
Bayern Munich teenager Aleksandar Pavlović, VfB Stuttgart striker Deniz Undav and Heidenheim talisman Jan-Niklas Beste are among the uncapped players to have been called up by Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann for the March friendlies with France and the Netherlands.
Nagelsmann has also nominated Stuttgart defenders Waldemar Anton and Maximilian Mittelstädt, as well as Hoffenheim top scorer Maximilian Beier, for the first time.
Pavlović is one of four Bayern players in the 26-man squad, alongside Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala, Thomas Müller and returning goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. The 19-year-old is enjoying his breakout senior campaign, the Bayern youth product producing two goals and two assists in 12 Bundesliga appearances since debuting in late October.
Third-placed Stuttgart also have four representatives in the side, a reflection of their brilliant performances so far in 2023/24. Chris Führich, who won his first cap last October, is joined by centre-back Anton, left-sider Mittelstädt and Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Undav, whose 14 goals are a league-high for a German national in this season's Bundesliga.
Watch: The best of Germany's new Stuttgart contingent
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Beier's next on that list, with 12 goals. The 21-year-old only made his U21 debut last September, but is another player whose displays have been too good to ignore - former Germany youth international Beste included. The 25-year-old midfielder's seven goals and eight assists are a big part of the reason why Bundesliga new boys Heidenheim are on course to retain their top-flight status with nine games to go.
Watch: Jan-Niklas Beste's best Bundesliga goals so far
Striker Niclas Füllkrug is the only Borussia Dortmund player in Nagelsmann's latest squad, while Toni Kroos (Real Madrid) earns a place after recently coming out of international retirement with a view to playing at the home Euros this summer.
Germany visit France on 23 March, before hosting the Netherlands three days later. They are in a group with Scotland, Hungary and Switzerland at the Euros, which begin on 14 June.
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