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Toni Kroos and Michael Ballack on Niclas Füllkrug’s chances for the World Cup

NAccording to former national soccer player Toni Kroos, Werder Bremen striker Niclas Füllkrug should have a chance at the World Cup. “If you look at the current form, I think he should be an issue. I know that Hansi Flick is well informed about every German player. Of course, he also knows which types of players he has and which he doesn’t. And a player like Niclas Füllkrug isn’t there at the moment,” said the 2014 soccer world champion in the podcast “Einfach mal Luppen” with his brother Felix.

“Opportunities are absolutely there”

He is always a big fan of having players for “all situations” in the squad. “Actually, we almost always had someone with us, with Miro (Klose), Mario Gomez; and I think these are the types of players who can simply help you in certain situations. And that’s why I’m very, very sure that Hansi is thinking about it,” said the midfielder for Spanish champions Real Madrid, with a view to the World Cup from November 20th to December 18th in Qatar.

Since national coach Hansi Flick now has more squad positions available, “I think the chances are absolutely there,” said Kroos. Up to 55 players can be on the preliminary nomination list. The final roster must have a maximum of 26 players.

The 32-year-old himself booked vacations during the World Cup, there is no selection comeback. “Travel cancellation insurance is not taken out. I’m going on vacation and then I’ll watch it and be a Germany fan,” said Kroos, who announced his retirement from the DFB team last summer. “I don’t make a decision like that on a whim or on my gut. And normally I don’t revise such a decision and we have the normal case.

Former national team captain Michael Ballack also spoke out in the debate about a possible World Cup nomination for Niclas Füllkrug. “Niclas Füllkrug has no international experience yet. Hansi Flick will consider whether he fits into the system. But of course he is currently the top scorer. And strikers who score are always useful in the squad,” Ballack told Sport Bild.

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