Germany coach, Joachim Low has explained the reason for inviting Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Florian Neuhaus.
The 23-year-old has finally been rewarded for his eye-catching displays with a maiden Germany call-up. The young lad will therefore be playing alongside the likes of Toni Kroos, Ilkay Gündogan, and Julian Brandt.
Neuhaus is one of the three new players invited for Germany’s UEFA Nations League fixtures against Spain and Switzerland. Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann and Atalanta left-back Robin Gosens are the other two.
The 23-year-old midfielder, who is a Bavarian native has already been involved in 115 competitive appearances at club level, including 62 in the Bundesliga.
He made his mark in the Fortuna Düsseldorf’s 2017/18 promotion-winning campaign and has a combined 23 youth international caps at U20 and U21 level.
“Florian Neuhaus is a very intelligent player and has proven himself with our U21s already. He’s earned his place in the squad,” Joachim Löw explained of his decision to call on the Gladbach youngster.
Florian Neuhaus not getting too excited
Meanwhile, the midfielder has said he wouldn’t get too excited until he confirms his inclusion in the squad. This is because he hadn’t received confirmation of his milestone inclusion when the squad announcement was made.
“I don’t know the exact details yet. Players are often the last to know, anyway,” ” he told WAZ.
Neuhaus’s journey to Germany’s invitation didn’t start overnight. He is now one of the first names on the Gladbach teamsheet since returning to Borussia-Park following a formative loan spell in Bundesliga 2 with Düsseldorf.
The 1860 Munich academy graduate started 51 of the Foals’ 68 league matches, whilst making a further 11 substitute appearances. During his appearances, he scored three goals and assisted nine in 31 games in 2018/19. He also had a direct hand in six goals across 30 outings as Gladbach secured a return to the UEFA Champions group stage for only the third time in their history last term.
Other players that have been effective for MGlabach in the final third across the course of both campaigns include striker Alassane Plea, attacking midfielder Jonas Hofmann and forward Lars Stindl.
“Florian has made tremendous progress at Fortuna and here at Gladbach. He’s an integral player for us and is a real threat in the final third. He has to be on Joachim Löw’s radar. If he maintains his level, his performances will definitely merit a call-up,” the club’s sporting director Max Eberl said in November 2019, after Neuhaus penned a new long-term deal through to summer 2024.
Neuhaus is also rated high for his output in front of the goal. He covered 7.4 miles per Bundesliga game in 2019/20, whilst winning a mean 57 percent of his attempted challenges.
“In a footballing sense, Florian is an exceptional talent. He’s also a really good guy, with the potential to become an even better player. There’s every reason to believe he will become a Germany player,” said Gladbach tactician Marco Rose in August 2020.
