The decision on the national team future of the up-and-coming Bayern talent Aleksandar Pavlovic seems to be getting closer. Originally earmarked for the German U21 national team, national coach Julian Nagelsmann is now pondering whether he should not nominate Pavlovic directly for the senior team. This consideration probably has to do with the pressure from the Serbian football association, which wants to win Pavlovic over.
According to Sky, national coach Julian Nagelsmann is now considering Aleksandar Pavlovic for the senior national team after all, but a final decision has yet to be made, according to the report. Most recently, it was said that the senior national team was still too early for the youngster. He should first gain a foothold with the German U21 national team under coach Antonio Di Salvo.
However, the Bayern youngster’s strong performances and the interest of the Serbian association seem to have prompted ex-Bayern coach Nagelsmann to change his mind. Pavlovic has Serbian roots but grew up in Munich. He has German and Serbian citizenship. If he ever played for the German senior national team, he would never be able to play for Serbia again. Nagelsmann could therefore secure the DFB a great talent for the future with a single nomination for the national team.
Serbian association wants to secure Pavlovic
The Serbian association has stepped up its efforts in recent days to secure Pavlovic for the country’s senior national team. The association even issued an official statement on the subject. It said that a delegation led by national team director Stefan Stojanovic had been in Munich. „The talks were constructive and direct for both sides,“ Stojanovic was quoted as saying. They had been in contact with Pavlovic’s parents for months.
Stojanovic also presented Pavlovic with an invitation for the upcoming international matches against Russia and Cyprus. However, the Bayern professional turned this down.
Pavlovic himself kept a low profile after Bayern’s 8-1 thumping of Mainz on Saturday and replied to the question of whether he had already spoken to Nagelsmann: „I won’t say anything about it.“ His decision regarding the national team is expected this month.
Despite the Serbian interest, Pavlovic’s focus appears to be on a future with the German national team, even if it would mean making a final decision against Serbia. Taking part in the European Championship in Germany would be a dream come true for him.
After the Mainz game, Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund spoke favourably about the possibility of seeing the young player in the German national team: „I think Julian is watching us and looking very closely. I’m a big fan of Aleks. There’s no way around Aleks if the German national team can have a player like him.“
