The competition in the goal of the German national team is slowly picking up speed. While national coach Julian Nagelsmann is pressing ahead with his plans for the 2026 World Cup, former national keeper Roman Weidenfeller has now made a surprisingly clear statement about the possible goalkeeper hierarchy – and also brought Bayern goalkeeper Jonas Urbig into the game
The 22-year-old is actually in the shadow of Manuel Neuer at FC Bayern, but has recently come more into focus due to the injury situation of the Bayern captain, who had to take several weeks off and was recently injured again in the game against Borussia Mönchengladbach
Weidenfeller pleads for Urbig in the World Cup squad
Speaking on SPORT1-Doppelpass, Weidenfeller was clearly in favor of Urbig being nominated for the World Cup. „I would take Jonas Urbig to the World Cup because he has the age and talent to become the German national goalkeeper in the future – but not as the number one for the World Cup,“ explained the 2014 World Cup winner
Above all, the former BVB keeper sees great development potential in the Bayern goalkeeper and believes that Urbig could play an important role in the DFB team in the long term
Weidenfeller was also clear about the possible hierarchy in the German goal. For him, Oliver Baumann is currently clearly at the top. „Number one is Baumann, of course. Then Nübel and Urbig. You can argue about whether you put Urbig at number two and Nübel behind him,“ explained the former international
Baumann is currently playing a strong season with TSG Hoffenheim and is one of the most consistent goalkeepers in the Bundesliga
Clear words on ter Stegen
However, Weidenfeller was much more critical of Marc-André ter Stegen’s situation. The goalkeeper, who is currently on loan at FC Girona, will be out for several weeks due to a thigh injury
For the former Dortmund player, the situation is therefore clear: „Ter Stegen has no chance,“ said Weidenfeller
The 33-year-old was rarely used in the first half of the season at FC Barcelona and has hardly gained any match practice since moving to Girona
Weidenfeller also suspects that national coach Nagelsmann already has a clear tendency in goal. „I believe that Nagelsmann is very set in his ways because the two of them already know each other from their Hoffenheim days. They have a certain relationship of trust,“ explained the former national keeper
Weidenfeller is thus starting an exciting discussion: While Oliver Baumann is currently considered the favorite for the number one spot, Bayern keeper Jonas Urbig could play a role in the DFB team for the first time at the upcoming World Cup.