Unlike the previous season, Germany doesn’t boast the best squad at the World Cup. This is more or less a new-look team with young players and some aging stars.
Among the younger players in the squad, Borussia Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha has gained a lot of attention after the coach Julian Nagelsmann described him as a world-class player.
Nmecha might not start for his country, but even off the bench, he can offer stability and creativity in midfield.
Even though Nmecha was injured towards the business end of the season, he managed to make a comeback and featured in the last two games of the Bundesliga season. Luckily for him, he didn’t miss the World Cup because of injury.
Before being injured in March, Nmecha was a key player in Nico Kovac’s side. He made the team tick and was a commanding presence in midfield. Now the question will be whether he will be able to replicate that form in the national team as well.
"He’s a top player who brings everything you need to be one of the best midfielders in the world. He has so much talent, so much speed, so much dynamism""- Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann
After the praise from the coach, it is conceivable that the 25-year-old will be given opportunities as Germany look to navigate the group stage after failing to do so in both 2018 and 2022.
Even though there aren’t many high hopes regarding Germany’s chances of winning the World Cup, the form and ability of players like Nmecha offer some hope.
Nmecha is a commanding presence in midfield and someone who likes to dribble. He can create chances out of nowhere. He also chips in with some goals and assists, even though he has played deeper the past season.
Now the decision falls to Nagelsmann. Will he play Joshua Kimmich in midfield? If so, Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlović will be the midfield partnership. However, if Kimmich doesn’t play in midfield and if he is deployed at his least favorite position at right back, then that opens up a door for Nmecha.
Looking at the performances Nmecha has shown at Dortmund since joining from Wolfsburg, he truly deserves to be a starter for the national team. Nmecha has managed to remain consistent in his time at the Signal Iduna Park. He has helped the side reach the Champions League final in 2024, in which the team lost 2-0 to Real Madrid.
Borussia Dortmund were able to reach their season goals in no small part due to Nmecha’s valuable contributions. This makes the case that Nmecha should be starting for Germany at the biggest football stage.
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