Jürgen Klopp's First Germany Squad: Said El Mala Set for Inclusion

Jürgen Klopp is set to put his stamp on Germany straight away – and Said El Mala looks poised to be one of the first big calls of his tenure.

According to Kicker, the new Germany head coach plans to name the 1. FC Köln winger in his maiden squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures, with the list due to be announced on Thursday. For a 20-year-old who only truly exploded onto the Bundesliga scene last season, it would be a rapid rise.

Julian Nagelsmann had already spotted the talent. The former national team boss handed El Mala his first call-up in November last year, but the youngster never made it onto the pitch and is still waiting for his debut. That wait may now be nearing its end.

El Mala has started the new campaign in the same gear that turned heads across Germany last term. He scored in Köln's dramatic 3-2 opening-day win over Hoffenheim, a reminder of the penalty-box presence and timing that brought him 13 goals and five assists in 34 Bundesliga appearances last season.

Illness then halted his momentum, ruling him out of Köln's 4-1 defeat to Stuttgart. He returned at the weekend, coming off the bench in the 1-1 draw with Werder Bremen, easing himself back into action just as the national team conversation around him intensified.

Klopp’s first Germany squad was always going to send a message about the future. Including a sharp, fearless wide player like El Mala would do exactly that.