Berlin: Liverpool’s uncapped midfielder Emre Can was yesterday called up to the Germany squad for the world champions’ forthcoming key Euro 2016 qualifiers against Poland and Scotland.
Germany host Group D leaders Poland in Frankfurt next Friday, with the global winners just one point behind in the table, then face third-placed Scotland in Glasgow on September 7.
Can was mainly used at right-back by Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers last season and will compete for that position as Germany coach Joachim Loew searches for a replacement for ex-captain Philipp Lahm at wing back.
The 21-year-old Can is the only uncapped player in the squad, which will be captained by Bastian Schweinsteiger for the first time since his transfer to Manchester United from Bayern Munich last month.
“Emre has developed well in Liverpool, he is flexible and has impressed us with his dynamic play. Now we want to get to know him better in the next few days,” explained Loew.
Bayern’s Manuel Neuer remains Loew’s first-choice, but Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been called up at the expense of Dortmund veteran Roman Weidenfeller.
The top two teams in each group qualify directly for Euro 2016 in France and Loew says the Germans must take the chance to go top by avenging their 2-0 defeat to Poland in Warsaw last October.
AFP
