Klopp's Confidence in Undav Despite Germany Omission

Deniz Undav is out of Jürgen Klopp’s first Germany squad – but not out of his plans.

According to Bild, the new national coach still views the 30-year-old VfB Stuttgart striker as an important part of his long-term project and has already sat down with him in Stuttgart for face-to-face talks about the future of the national team. The message from those discussions is clear: this is not a sporting demotion, it’s a fitness call.

Undav has been battling stubborn Achilles tendon problems for weeks. The injury has disrupted his start to the season, forcing him off early in each of Stuttgart’s first two Bundesliga fixtures. In the 2-1 defeat at TSG Hoffenheim at the weekend, he was reduced to a substitute role and could not turn the game.

The numbers reflect that stop-start rhythm. In the Bundesliga, Undav is still waiting for his first direct goal involvement of the new campaign. The sharpness that made him Germany’s most prolific striker last season has yet to fully return.

Cup nights have told a different story. In the DFB Cup win over Hansa Rostock and the Champions League victory against Viking Stavanger, Undav produced two assists in each match, reminding everyone of his creative edge even when not at peak condition. The upcoming international break is now earmarked as a crucial window for him to rebuild his fitness and get his body right.

The decision to leave him out is striking given his recent record. Last season, Undav finished as the highest-scoring German forward with 25 goals in all competitions, adding 14 assists. At the World Cup in North America, amid a generally flat and faltering Germany side, he was one of the few sparks off the bench. He earned a start in the round-of-32 tie against Paraguay, but on that night his influence faded and he remained ineffective as Germany crashed out.

Even so, his international return so far reads impressively: nine goals in 13 caps. Those figures alone would normally guarantee a place on any squad list.

Klopp has gone a different way for his first selection. Alongside Undav, Stuttgart’s other two World Cup players, Angelo Stiller and Jamie Leweling, are also absent. Stuttgart are still represented, though: Finn Jeltsch, Maximilian Mittelstädt, Josha Vagnoman and Chris Führich have all been called up.

For Undav, the equation is simple. Get healthy, find his stride again, and force Klopp’s hand. With his scoring history, how long can a fully fit Undav realistically be kept out of a Germany squad?