Eintracht Frankfurt celebrate rising Nnamdi Collins: “Another big step.” | OneFootball

Eintracht Frankfurt full-back Nnamdi Collins (21) remains a hot topic within German footballing circles. The SGE defender’s stock continues to rise following another Bundesliga success in last night’s victory over SC Freiburg. Collins scored his first league goal in the victory.

Given a cold start against VfL Bochum on the current campaign’s ninth match day, Collins immediately impressed by registering an assist in his league debut. Germany U21 head-coach Antonio di Salvo took quick notice, calling up Collins for the September international break.

Eintracht trainer Dino Toppmöller – always eager to give Collins a vote of confidence – heaped more praise upon his match-day 17 starter last night. In addition to scoring a gorgeous goal, Collins completed 97 percent of his passes and racked up a 73 percent win rate in duels.

“[He possesses] dynamism, power, and physicality,” the SGE coach noted at the post-match presser. “Despite his age, [he plays with composure and sovereignty]. We are very happy to have him. He’s turning up the heat on the competition [in defence].“

SGE sporting director Markus Krösche concurred. The club’s board-member-for-sport didn’t hesitate at all when asked whether the Düsseldorf-native would be playing for Julian Nagelsmann’s Nationalmannschaft soon.

“I definitely think so,” Krösche remarked in the mixed zone. “He’s made great strides and took another big step [tonight]. As a young man, there will be phases in which he dips. He nevertheless has the potential to build a very successful career.”

Collins himself has never made a secret of his desire to represent Germany at the highest level in spite of his eligibility to represent both Nigeria and the Republic of Ireland. He recently kept matters very honest when asked about the prospect.

“I haven’t been contacted [by Nagelsmann] yet,” Collins – as quoted by Kicker’s Julian Franzke – said. “But I’ve always said that my number one priority is, of course, the German national team. I would be very proud to be able to play for the senior national team.”

GGFN | Peter Weis