FC Bayern Munich players and Bundesliga talent are facing a period of evaluation within the German national team following the start of Jürgen Klopp’s tenure as head coach. Current assessments highlight defensive vulnerabilities for Nathaniel Brown, a return to form for Serge Gnabry, and debut opportunities for FC Augsburg players Hennes Behrens and Finn Dahmen.
Nathaniel Brown struggles defensively despite offensive contributions
Nathaniel Brown has started the first two matches of this cycle, appearing once as a right-back and once as a left-back. While the FC Bayern defender has provided value through his offensive work, his defensive positioning has been a point of concern. Specifically, Brown struggled to contain Dutch attacker Crysencio Summerville, a performance that contributed to a late equalizer.
These defensive lapses continued during the match against Greece, where Brown remained a weak point in the backline. Despite these struggles, reports indicate that Klopp is likely to continue trusting Brown in the lineup as the coach evaluates the defender’s versatility across both flanks.
Serge Gnabry seeks a permanent role after injury return
Serge Gnabry has returned to the DFB squad after a lengthy injury that forced him to miss the World Cup. The 31-year-old FC Bayern winger has had a quiet start under the new management, recording only two brief appearances in the first two games without leaving a significant mark on the matches.
Gnabry remains in the squad and has two further opportunities to prove his utility to Klopp. Unlike some of the newer additions to the roster, Gnabry possesses a documented history of high-level performance for the national team and continues to play in elite international competitions with FC Bayern, providing him a higher platform for visibility than players from smaller clubs.
Hennes Behrens and Finn Dahmen enter the national setup
FC Augsburg has seen two players integrated into the expanded national squad. Hennes Behrens made his international debut against Greece, though the appearance lasted only six minutes. During that window, the 21-year-old had eight touches of the ball and was unable to influence the result of the defeat.
While Behrens did not immediately secure a regular spot, he remains on the head coach’s radar. His future call-ups will depend heavily on his club form as the current oversized squad is trimmed down to a standard size.
Finn Dahmen, also of FC Augsburg, is still awaiting his first cap. Dahmen was the only player slated to be involved in all four initial games, suggesting he remains a priority for the coaching staff. He is expected to earn his first appearance in goal during the upcoming fixtures against Serbia or Greece.
