Selecting injured Neuer a ‘gigantic risk’, says Kahn
BERLIN: Including Manuel Neuer is a “gigantic risk” for Germany at the World Cup, according to former captain Oliver Kahn. Germany coach Joachim Low named Neuer among four goalkeepers in his initial squad for the World Cup, giving the Bayern Munich player a chance to prove his fitness.
The 32-year-old Germany captain and goalkeeper has not played since fracturing his foot last September, but has been included in the squad, the first time since his injury, for Saturday’s final against Eintracht Frankfurt. Neuer will start on the bench at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium with Sven Ulreich in goal for Bayern.
But Kahn, who won Euro 1996 with Germany, says Neuer should not start at the World Cup due to the lack of games he has played this season.
“To judge it finally, I should have to see him in the daily training work,” Kahn said to Spox and DAZN.
“But it is actually impossible and unthinkable, that he can make a good performance. But because of his achievements in the past, he is trusted to do so, it was right for Low to take him with him and see him,” he said.
“Even if he plays two international matches, it is still a gigantic risk that everyone has to be aware of and he has to ask himself: is it really worthwhile to play a World Cup after a break of eight months? A blatant decision he has to make.”
Neuer’s club coach Jupp Heynckes is convinced the national goalkeeper will be ready for Russia 2018. “I watched him train in the gym and he’s always said ‘I’ll make it (the World Cup)’, under the proviso that he had to be careful with the injury,” said the Bayern boss.
The main rival for Germany’s gloves is Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who has developed into a highclass goalkeeper at Barcelona. “He has managed to prevail at Barcelona, that alone is a great achievement,” Kahn said.
“In the national team it was a hard journey for him, he started with many mistakes. That means he did not have the selfconfidence at the time.
“The Confederations Cup, which he has played with stability, and the experience of Barcelona, means he is fully arrived and fully accepted. This is another stage than at the beginning of his national team career. I’m not worried if he has to play the World Cup.”