Former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann has sparked debate by suggesting that Bayern Munich’s Alexander Nübel should be Germany’s next number one goalkeeper, rather than Marc-André ter Stegen of Barcelona, Soccernet.football reports.
With Manuel Neuer recently announcing his retirement from the German national team, the race to succeed him is heating up, and many assumed Ter Stegen would naturally step into the role.
However, Hamann believes Nübel is a better long-term option for Germany.
Nübel, 27, impressed last season while on loan at VfB Stuttgart, playing a pivotal role in their second-place finish in the Bundesliga.
His performances have bolstered his reputation, and now Hamann sees him as the ideal candidate to take over from Neuer.
“In Alexander Nübel, you have a goalkeeper who, in my opinion, could be the DFB goalkeeper for the next three or four tournaments,” Hamann stated in an interview with SkySport.
“He’s five years younger than ter Stegen and for me, he’s the best [option] at the moment. I would toy with the idea of putting Nübel in goal at the next World Cup.”
Bayern Munich also reportedly sees Nübel as the heir to Neuer once the veteran decides to retire from club football, though Neuer, 38, has no immediate plans to hang up his gloves and could even extend his career beyond the current season.