West Ham United technical director Tim Steidten has told Sport1 that Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno should be involved with the Germany national team
Two months ago, Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer retired from international football. Julian Nagelsmann has promoted Marc-André ter Stegen as the No.1 stopper. The Barcelona star is set for a long spell on the sidelines after suffering a serious injury.
The Fulham player hasn’t been included in the squad for October’s matches. Recent claims in the German press have stated the 32-year-old refused to be part of the national team squad.
The West Ham director attended Sport1’s STAHLWERK Doppelpass, where they discussed the former Arsenal man’s alleged refusal to represent his country. Steidten makes it clear that he’s only sharing his views about the latest claims about his compatriot.
“The workload in the Premier League is of course high, and I can understand Leno’s point. But my personal opinion is: If the national team calls, then you have to go too,” he said.
As well as the West Ham official, former Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Steffen Freund has urged Leno to not reject the national team call up.
“That makes me gasp. I once learned when it came to the national team: That’s the biggest thing, you have to go there when you’re there,” Freund explained.
“But I can also understand Leno’s approach: Sure, it’s a catastrophe for him because Oliver Baumann and Alexander Nübel are now ahead of him and he’s only number three. And when Marc-André ter Stegen comes back from his injury, will he be number four or five?”
“He deserved to be No.1. That’s probably the main idea behind this rejection. On the other hand, they always say: If the national coach calls, then you have to go there.”
Leno, who has made nine appearances for Germany, has been a regular for Marco Silva’s side. He kept a clean sheet and conceded eight goals from seven matches for Fulham this season.
