Germany U21 updates | Three players depart camp injured, Dennis Seimen and Tom Bischof guaranteed starts | OneFootball

Three Germany U21 internationals nominated to represent Germany at the highest youth level this month have departed camp injured. A fourth player’s participation is in doubt. Thus far, Germany U21 head coach Antonio Di Salvo has nominated two replacements for the two forthcoming 2027 UEFA U21 European Qualification fixtures.

Brighton’s Brajan Gruda (knee problems), Union Berlin’s Aljoscha Kemlein (contusion), and Hertha BSC’s Linus Gechter (undisclosed) will not be available for Di Salvo. Eintracht Frankfurt fullback Elias Baum and Dynamo Dresden centre-back/defensive midfielder Kofi Amoako have been called up to replace Kemlein and Gechter.

The DFB has issued a statement declaring that there shall be no planned replacement for Gruda. Di Salvo may still have to call up another defender, however, as Baum’s Eintracht teammate Nnamdi Collins – like Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade – is struggling with a flu-like infection and has not yet reported to camp.

Collins hopes to redeem his national team prospects after a disastrous outing for Julian Nagelsmann’s senior side back in September. Kemlein and Gruda featured prominently under Di Salvo in September. Di Salvo has confirmed that rising Bayern talent Tom Bischof will take Kemlein’s place.

With respect to the goalkeeping question, Di Salvo has opted to lay to rest speculation about who will replace his newly installed (and promptly injured) No. 1 Mio Backhaus. Dennis Seimen – Alexander Nübel’s presumed replacement at Stuttgart – will stand in goal in Backhaus’ absence.

“He [Seimen] has the edge because he’s performed very well,” Di Salvo said at a Monday DFB media roundtable. “He [Bischof] will be pulling the strings for us in midfield.“

GGFN | Peter Weis