DFB storm a “construction site”
©IMAGO
Germany’s best goalscorer and scorer Deniz Undav is not deterred by the critical words of national coach Julian Nagelsmann. Regarding the DFB storm before the World Cup, the 38-year-old said in an interview with “Kicker”: “This is at least a construction site that we have to close.” The VfB Stuttgart attacker currently has 18 goals and eleven assists in 33 games. He scored three goals in six appearances for the national team.
“I haven’t read the interview. Ultimately, I’m a striker with good statistics. I deliver week after week and try to recommend myself that way,” said Undav when asked by “Bild”. No German professional has contributed more goals this season than the 29-year-old. In terms of hits, he leads the rankings ahead of Mainz’s Nadiem Amiri (15), and in terms of scorers he is at the top ahead of his teammate Jamie Leweling (20).
Undav was last part of the German squad at the Nations League Finals in June last year. His last contact with the national coach was also some time ago. “I haven’t had a conversation with him since the winter break. He doesn’t need to talk to me either. My arguments are on the pitch. I’m trying to show him that. As long as I score, it will be difficult to get past me,” says Undav, who is the fifth most valuable German center forward with a market value of 20 million euros.
Nagelsmann mentioned Niclas Füllkrug and Tim Kleindienst by name in his most recent interview when it came to the attackers and the construction site mentioned. “We will certainly have a striker who can sort things out in the air if we need a goal and can’t solve everything with the magicians behind because the opponent defends so deeply. Füllkrug was out for a long time, now plays sometimes 20 or 30 minutes, but unfortunately currently has no quota and little playing time. Kleindienst has been injured for a long time. It’s also unclear how he’ll come back.” He only mentioned Undav in one place when it came to watching players: “When I go to Stuttgart, I know exactly what an Angelo Stiller and a Deniz Undav are playing.”
He can’t fully explain the fact that Undav flies under the radar despite his top statistics and is sometimes not seen as a central attacker: “It’s not talked about. My name is never mentioned in the center forward position. I have the best odds for the fact that I’m not a striker for many people…” The 29-year-old also has a lack of understanding in this regard, which is why he vented his frustration. “What is a center forward? But the one who scores. I have the best rate, so I don’t understand why people talk about other strikers and not about me. That my name is always mentioned as a false nine. I’ve already said that, that it bothers me. I’ve been hearing that all my life. I thought that it would stop now that I’ve been scoring so well. I’m just a good classic striker who can also be a good ten. But that’s not my fault that I’m I have quality. I’m a striker, I score and can prepare.”
Not only nationally, but also internationally, Undav’s values are well in the running. In the top five leagues, including all cup competitions, only seven other professionals have contributed more goals this season.
