Mainz’s Paul Nebel now open to representing Ireland | OneFootball

Despite recently firmly committing himself to the German FA, Germany U21 international Paul Nebel may yet consider representing Ireland as a senior international. The 22-year-old Bundesliga professional revealed that the Irish FA has been in more regular contact with him whilst speaking at a press conference yesterday.

“After the season, they [the IFA] started courting me more intensively,” Nebel remarked yesterday. “That’s nice. If things don’t work out with the DFB at some point, then I’ll have to think about it, because Ireland is also in my heart.”

The Mainz 05 attacker – currently serving on Antonio di Salvo’s UEFA U21 European Championship squad – started on the left wing and logged 75 minutes in Thursday’s opening group stage match. Nebel managed three shots on goal and completed all 18 of his passes.

“We had a few issues defensively, and I want to implement what the coach has asked of me,” Nebel said of his performance. “Offensively, I want to be more dangerous and get into better positions.”

Nebel still seeks his first goal at Germany’s highest youth level. The path to Julian Nagelsmann’s Nationalmannschaft will surely hinge on him getting his name on the scoresheet more often. Nebel has scored six goals at the Germany U20 level and below.

“Of course, one wishes to play for the senior national team at some point,” Nebel noted, also emphasizing “I’ve been with the DFB since the U15s [since 2017] and am very proud to represent the jersey.”

GGFN | Peter Weis