Is shooting star Wanner also leaving? The DFB is fighting for its talents

Paul Wanner is missing. Antonio Di Salvo had already nominated the young star of 1. FC Heidenheim, and the 18-year-old was supposed to make his debut for the German U21 team on Wednesday – but the midfielder declined. Because he needed a break, as DFB coach Di Salvo stressed. And not because Wanner wanted to play for Austria in the future, as some had already speculated.

That would be possible: Wanner was born in Austria, his mother is Austrian. In November 2022, he trained once with the team of team boss Ralf Rangnick, who continues to woo him. But so far the decision has been made for the DFB, and Wanner only played for the German U20 team in March. “Everything else doesn't count for me,” said Di Salvo before the European Championship qualifier against Israel on Wednesday (6 p.m., ProSieben MAXX).

Knauff, Nebel, Tresoldi and Co. could play for other nations

In the background, however, the battle for Wanner is likely to continue. The course has often been set in the U21s, and this battle has often been lost: Lasar Samardzic, for example, was still playing for the DFB team at the end of 2022, but then he moved to Serbia. Malik Tillman chose the USA, Josip Stanisic for Croatia. The DFB had invested several years in all of the players.

“One or two of us have left recently. It is their right to decide which country they want to play for. “But that is a shame and disappointing for us,” Di Salvo said a year ago. “You build trust and bonds.” Sometimes our hands are tied when nations play the senior national team card.”

Ansgar Knauff (Ghana), Paul Nebel (Ireland), Nicolo Tresoldi (Italy, Argentina), Bright Akwo Arrey-Mbi (Cameroon) and Nathaniel Brown (USA) from the current U21 team could also play for other teams. “We have now addressed the issue.” “We want to speak to the players even earlier, create a bond with the parents and advisors,” said Di Salvo. But it also became clear that in the end he would respect every decision.

Stefan Kuntz was able to convince Nmecha and Musiala from the DFB team

Especially since it also works the other way round. The then U21 coach Stefan Kuntz once spent two days with Lukas Nmecha's family in Manchester to convince the striker to move to the DFB. Jamal Musiala is also making the move from England to Germany. “It's always the player who counts – what he feels, what he wants to do,” says Di Salvo.

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Wanner certainly feels connected to the DFB at the moment, but the last word has not yet been spoken. When he last posted a photo on Instagram after his strong start to the season, it was Austria captain Marcel Sabitzer who left an Austria flag as a comment – and promptly sparked a new discussion. (aw/sid)