Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno has insisted he remains relaxed about a return to the German national team, even if Jurgen Klopp should be well aware of him.
Sky Germany have an interview with the goalkeeper today. He admits he is curious if he’s in Klopp’s eyeline, given their shared time in the Premier League.
Leno hasn’t played for Germany since 2024 after turning down a call-up to the squad under Julian Nagelsmann in October that year.
Germany return under Klopp?
The 34-year-old, who was 32 years old at the time, insisted that he did not want to play a back-up role for his country at that stage in his career. He felt that he had proven himself – with Fulham and Germany – and did not want to travel just to sit on the bench.
He instead chose to stay in London to train and focus on his career at Craven Cottage, although he never officially retired from international football.
Indeed, he has left the door open to a return if the national team ever needs him. Thus, the question was put to him about a potential international revival under Jurgen Klopp. The Fulham goalkeeper admits that he’s curious given the former Liverpool manager should know him well.
“That’s a very, very good question, but as I’ve always said: I’m actually relatively relaxed about it. I never said I’d never go back to the national team or anything like that,” he said.
“But back then, I simply didn’t see myself in that role. I don’t even know who else was being called up. Waiting behind the other guys as the number three or number four – I didn’t see that for myself at that stage of my career.
“If I’d been younger, it would have been a different story, of course. I’ll never rule it out, but as I said, I’m not sitting here thinking, ‘Jürgen Klopp is here now, he knows me from the Premier League, maybe I’ve got a new chance.’ We’ll see what happens.”
Arsenal for the Premier League
In the meantime, he continues to focus on Fulham and the Premier League, where he is anticipating another title for Arsenal at the end of the campaign.
The Gunners are the overriding favourites for the title at this moment in time. And Leno admits he isn’t sure the other contenders can compete with Mikel Arteta’s side.
“You have to say it clearly, of course: Arsenal! I think they’re a pretty settled side,” he added.
“Plus, they’ve kept their squad together and brought in one or two good players. But you always have to see how Liverpool and Manchester City fare.
City lost a key player in Rodri, too. Pep Guardiola has left as well, and that always marks a sort of transitional phase.
“We’ll have to see how it all plays out. But I think those are likely the three teams that will be contending at the top. I’m not so sure about the others. But I’d say Arsenal is probably the favourite.”
