Joshua Kimmich responds to Bernd Leno Germany rejection and more

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·8 October 2024

Joshua Kimmich responds to Bernd Leno Germany rejection and more

Ahead of Germany’s Nations League matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina and The Netherlands, Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich responds to Bernd Leno’s Germany rejection and a much-changed national team squad.

With the injury to Germany’s current number one, Marc-André ter Stegen, Bernd Leno (Fulham) alongside Oliver Baumann (TSG Hoffenheim) and Alexander Nübel (VfB Stuttgart) were nominated.

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However, the Fulham shot-stopper rejected Julian Nagelsmann’s call-up after learning that he would not feature in either Nations League games this October.

As reported by GGFN, Leno said: “They told me I would be there, but that I wouldn’t get a game. That’s why I decided to train in London.”

In response to Leno’s comments, Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich couldn’t understand this mindset and showed little empathy.

“We want players who are very happy to be there”…”It has to be something very, very special for everyone to be there. Whether you have one hundred international matches or three. Whether you are 34 years old or 19.”

Germany have had to make several changes to their squad this October due to injuries from the likes of David Ruam, Jamal Musiala, Robin Koch, Kai Havertz, Niclas Füllkrug, and more. This has led to a Germany squad with plenty of players rather inexperienced at international level.

Kimmich understands the pressure this puts on the team and believes that new players must step-up right away.

“Really crazy, ten new players are felt [in the squad]. It is difficult because we have not worked outside the core [of players] for years. It will be important that we have many players on the pitch who take responsibility.”

Germany take on Bosnia in Zenica on Friday evening before hosting their old rivals The Netherlands in Munich the following Monday.

GGFN | Jamie Allen