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Opinion: Rookie trio worth a shout for DFB team

Ross DunbarMarch 16, 2015

As Germany look to find a new winning formula, DW's Ross Dunbar has thrown three lesser-known names into the ring to bolster the team's options for Australia and Georgia.

https://p.dw.com/p/1Eraa
Maximilian Arnold, Tony Jantschke und Sebastian Rode (Bildcombo)
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/R. Vennenbernd/Eibner-Pressefoto/GES-Sportfoto

This week, Joachim Löw will announce his squad for Germany's upcoming friendly with Australia in Kaiserslautern and the Euro 2016 qualifier away to Georgia.

Performances since the World Cup have been rudimentary, perhaps the hangover still taking its toll after the victory in Brazil. But 2015 is crucial for Germany - and certainly not easy. A crunch period with Poland (H) and then a double-header with Scotland and Ireland away from home will put Germany's strength to the test.

While Georgia is next on the schedule and with more room to maneuver around the regulars who are out-of-form, here are three players from the Bundesliga who I'd throw into the hat for a potential call-up this week.

Tony Jantschke:

Borussia Mönchengladbach's stalwart, captain and jack-of-all-trades continues to excel in whatever role Lucien Favre demands of him. It feels as if the 24-year-old has been around forever and shows that on the park.

Jantschke has missed just 44 minutes of the Bundesliga season and has moved between centre-back and right-back depending on the fitness of Julian Korb, the promising young full-back, and Martin Stranzl in the middle. Without being great at any one aspect, Jantschke is competent at the lot: He reads the game well, anticipates situations early and is wise with his use of the ball.

Despite 18 U21 appearances, Jantschke hasn't played for the senior team. His pirouette in the lead-up to Gladbach's opener on Sunday was Zidane-esque, yet it was more reflective of the beaming self-confidence from the Foals' leader at the back. If there's ever a time for Tony to get his chance, then it has to be now.

Sebastian Rode:

There's a familiar pattern here already, right? Germany needs a right-back. Philipp Lahm's retirement this summer after the World Cup has left a massive vacuum for Löw to fill.

Löw hasn't even come close to filling it, either. We've seen Sebastian Rudy, Antonio Rüdiger (twice), Kevin Grosskreutz and on one occasion, albeit against just Gibraltar, no right-back at all!

Rode has had a bigger impact in Munich than many expected. Gathering his reputation as a combative, bloody-nose midfielder with good technique, Rode has slotted into Pep Guardiola's plans on the right-hand side.

Tactically sound, flexible and decent all-round on the ball, Rode is worth a gamble to fill Lahm's shoes considering that's practically what he does at times when he pulls on the red-and-blue of Bayern.

Maxi Arnold:

What Maximilian Arnold showed, especially in the 4-1 drubbing against Bayern, was his maturity to play as one of the deeper-lying midfielders. With a great range of passing, he can prompt swift counterattacks and decisively send clear any of Wolfsburg's quick attackers.

It's maybe something Löw would consider to add to his squad. Sami Khedira isn't fully fit and Bastian Schweinsteiger has probably been run into the ground for club-and-country over the last 18 months.

But thinking long-term, Arnold could have an interesting role to play when the likes of Basti and Khedira decide to call it a day.

Do you have any of your own suggestions? If so, let us know in the comments section below who you think deserves a call from Mr Löw this week.