Stuttgart's Striking Sensation Undav Sets Sights on German National Team
With a grin, Deniz Undav, Stuttgart's buoyant goal-scorer, declared his ambition of donning the German national team jersey following their DFB Cup triumph against Borussia Dortmund. "Unity, justice, and freedom," he exclaimed, referencing the team's beloved motto.
As a man of dual heritage (his family hails from Turkey), Undav acknowledged the presence of two distinct paths. Nevertheless, he expressed his determination to seize the chance to play for Germany, should it arise. This intent seemed to find favor with Stuttgart's coach, Julian Nagelsmann, who extended an invitation to Undav for the upcoming European Championship trial matches in March 2023. This invitation will see him face off against the Netherlands and France in pre-competition trials.
Undav shared the details of his decision with his coach, attributing it to conversations with his wife, family, and advisors. Aspiring to represent the DFB in the prestigious 2024 European Championship held on home turf, he shared this ambition with Nagelsmann as well.
Brighton & Hove Albion's loanee, Undav, has garnered widespread acclaim for his prolific goal-scoring abilities in recent weeks, amassing an impressive nine goals in just twelve matches across all competitions while adding two additional assists to his tally. Amongst Germany's elite center-forwards in Europe's foremost leagues, Undav currently holds the distinction of being the most prolific striker.
Undav's career bloomed at Werder Bremen, where he was recruited as a youth player in 2012. After a stint in the regional league, he joined SV Meppen in 2018 and then moved on to excel in the second Belgian league. His time in Belgium culminated with his contribution to the championship-winning Royal Union Saint-Gilloise team before his subsequent shift to England. Despite a trying season-opening torn collateral ligament injury at Stuttgart, he's now fully fit and steering his way towards purposeful progress.
Julian Nagelsmann, Stuttgart's coach, has been captivated by Undav's impressive performance in the Bundesliga. Given Undav's impressive goal tally, he's placed among Germany's elite center-forwards in Europe's top leagues.
Behind the Scenes
Undav's commendable performances for Stuttgart have caught the attention of Julian Nagelsmann, Germany's national team coach. As an accomplished goal-scorer, Undav now ranks among the most proficient German center-forwards in Europe's top leagues.
Provided Extra Insights:
- Consistent Scoring: Undav has delivered a steady stream of goals for Stuttgart, amassing an impressive total of 28 goals and 8 assists this season across Bundesliga and DFB Cup matches.
- Team's Success: With Undav's contributions as a key factor, Stuttgart has enjoyed a remarkable consecutive run, currently sitting in fourth place in the Bundesliga and advancing in the DFB Cup.
- National Team Recognition: The remarkable success of Stuttgart has not gone unnoticed by national team selectors and may position Undav in strong contention for the national team roster.
As Undav continues to shine for Stuttgart with his consistent goal-scoring performances and integral contributions to the team's success, the interest of Germany's national team personnel shows no signs of dwindling. His outstanding record has piqued the interest of national team coaches, placing him in a solid position for potential future selections.
