Why Jürgen Klopp Just Dropped Deniz Undav from the DFB Squad

What Happened

The German national team is facing a fresh wave of selection drama. Just months after shining as Germany's top scorer at the World Cup in the USA with three goals and two assists, VfB Stuttgart striker Deniz Undav has been left out of the national team.

According to reports, newly appointed Germany head coach Jürgen Klopp has decided not to include the 30-year-old in his initial squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures. Klopp and Undav have reportedly already held a personal discussion regarding the decision ahead of Thursday's official squad announcement.

Why It Matters

This bold early decision marks a dramatic shift under Klopp's new era. Undav was previously the center of intense selection debates under former coach Julian Nagelsmann, despite coming off a stellar club season with 25 goals and 14 assists.

However, Undav's exclusion is largely attributed to a sluggish start to the current campaign. Across his opening five competitive matches for Stuttgart, the fan favorite has yet to find the back of the net, though he has contributed crucial assists in the DFB-Pokal and the Champions League. VfB coach Sebastian Hoeneß has publicly defended his forward, criticizing the outside noise surrounding Undav's temporary scoring drought.

What's Next

While Undav misses out, the door is wide open for a new face in the DFB attack. Fellow Stuttgart teammate Dzenan Pejcinovic is emerging as a strong candidate for a surprise debut call-up.

Klopp personally visited Stuttgart on August 31 to meet with club officials and players, including a targeted conversation with the 21-year-old striker. Reports indicate Klopp has had his eye on Pejcinovic since before his high-profile €25 million transfer from Wolfsburg.

Klopp is set to officially announce his roster for the upcoming matches against the Netherlands, Greece, and Serbia, signaling a ruthless merit-based approach right out of the gate.