Nagelsmann expects more from trio of youngsters | OneFootball

In an exclusive interview with Kicker, Julian Nagelsmann answered questions regarding the prospects of Brajan Gruda, Lennart Karl, and Said El Mala making the final cut for the World Cup squad.

“I think he is doing quite well now at Leipzig,” said Nagelsamann about Gruda’s January move. “I had already included him during the preparations for the home Euros. He has lots of qualities, but I believe he has not fully realised that he had the chance to be part of the final squad at the time.

“In the end, it comes down to producing more goals and assists. For his level of quality, it's still not enough.”

Although his only goal involvements were recorded in the 2-2 draw with Wolfsburg from his first five appearances back in German football, Gruda has been performing at a good level since joining RB Leipzig in an initial loan deal from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Nagelsmann’s statements regarding Karl’s current status give a rather positive outlook before he hinted at the option of taking an experienced player instead of him. “Lennart (Karl) had a very stable period. But right now, he is struggling a little. That’s also because Jamal Musiala is fit again. He’s now getting the substitute minutes instead of him.

“Nevertheless, he is naturally a very interesting player in terms of his profile. He often goes into one-against-one situations, and he can cut inside from the right onto his left foot. That kind of movement is difficult to pin down,“ Nagelsmann reflected before explaining further on what he expects from the 18-year-old.

“I don’t expect him to be a regular starter in order to be part of the World Cup squad. That’s impossible. He has to bring that youthful freshness and boldness instead. Otherwise, I should just take an experienced player who reliably does his job.”

Unlike Karl, El Mala has already got a call from Nagelsmann as the Köln winger trained with Germany’s national team back in November. “I think he did quite well for us in November. But there is still a difference between being at Bayern and at Köln,” said the Bundestrainer about the 19-year-old.

“He simply needs to get more playing time at Köln. And I’m not directing this message at Lukas Kwasniok, because I have come to know him as a coach who looks very closely at what he needs from players, including defensively.“

El Mala is Köln’s top scorer with eight goals in addition to his four assists, despite only starting less than 50% of their games. “He has to have the ambition to be a regular starter at Köln and to play all the time. Now he’s playing too little. And that is not down to the coach, as people often assume.

“It’s down to him and whether he consistently works on the defensive side of his game. If Lukas (Kwasniok) can rely on Said (El Mala) to deliver the same level every time, why wouldn’t he play him? He is one of the fastest players in the squad, has a great shot, and is a real goal threat.“