In Germany, with a new international chapter about to open under Jürgen Klopp, Toni Kroos has delivered a pointed assessment of the players he felt failed to make their mark at the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Klopp is due to announce his first squad as Germany coach within a day, following the national side’s disappointing tournament.
Kroos names three players
Speaking on the Einfach Mal Luppen podcast he hosts with his brother Felix, the former Real Madrid midfielder said he had identified three Germany players who did not show up sufficiently at the World Cup: Bayern Munich’s Aleksandar Pavlovic, Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala.
- Aleksandar Pavlovic was among the players singled out by Kroos.
- Florian Wirtz was also included in the criticism.
- Jamal Musiala completed Kroos’s list of three underperformers.
Felix Kroos reacted with surprise to his brother’s verdict, asking whether Toni meant that the trio had been largely anonymous during the tournament.
Fresh names for Klopp’s first squad
While criticising established internationals, Kroos also looked towards the next generation. He named three players he would like to see included when Klopp selects Germany for the first time.
- Tom Bischof of Bayern Munich
- Lennart Karl of Bayern Munich
- Saïd El Mala of Cologne
The remarks place further attention on Klopp’s first selection, with Germany now weighing experience against a possible injection of younger talent after the World Cup setback.
