National team
Matthäus and Babbel see little need for Kroos to return
Lothar Matthäus comments on Toni Kroos’ possible return to the national team. photo
© Bernd Thissen/dpa
Will Toni Kroos play for Germany again at the home European Championship? There has been speculation about this for days. But two ex-national players think that’s a less good idea.
Ex-national players Lothar Matthäus and Markus Babbel see a possible return Toni Kroos’s inclusion in the national football team is rather critical.
“If Kroos could play full-back – okay. But the German team has the least need in midfield. That’s how you open a barrel that you don’t even need,” Matthäus wrote in his column for the pay-TV channel Sky: “A Kroos isn’t a clearer in front of the defense either, but if Nagelsmann suddenly sees Kroos as the holding six, there will be a lot of discussions again.”
Babbel also has doubts
That’s exactly how Babbel sees it. Kroos is “a gifted footballer, but is he also the savior? I have my doubts about that,” said the 1996 European champion at the “ran Bundesliga Webshow”: “He’s not a vacuum cleaner who will brush everyone away. Above all, you need a six , who is not above taking these dirty paths and leading these duels.”
If Kroos (33) makes a comeback in the DFB team, he would need people around him who are stronger defensively. “If you don’t find a partner for him, you won’t be able to get the defensive problems under control. As Toni Kroos, I would forego the abuse and disgrace and stay at home in Madrid,” said Babbel: “But if you find the right mix, Toni can act big.”
National coach Julian Nagelsmann recently described Kroos’ return as an “interesting thought” in the ZDF sports studio and added: “You have to think about all the players who have a German passport, I think that’s my job.” Nagelsmann revealed that he had not yet spoken specifically about it with the 2014 world champion. The Real Madrid midfielder ended his career in the DFB team after 106 international matches after the 2021 European Championship.