Aleksandar Pavlović could soon play for Germany. But is he already set? The simple answer: no.
A national coach is always a strategist. And so Julian Nagelsmann’s alleged plan to nominate Bayern Munich talent Aleksandar Pavlović for the upcoming national team window could be a clever move. After all, the 19-year-old, who is currently thriving in the record champions’ midfield center, is likely to play just as well for Serbia.
The youngster, who has had the ball twice for the U20s so far, would by no means be guaranteed for Germany if he played against France or the Netherlands at the end of March. This requires a competitive game in the DFB uniform. For example, former Schalke player Jermaine Jones played three test matches in 2008 with the eagle on his chest – and still made his debut for the USA in 2010.
Roman Neustädter (Gladbach, Schalke), currently under contract with Belgian first division club KVC Westerlo, also played two friendly matches for Germany between December 2012 and May 2013, but then decided to play for Russia
In the absence of competitive games, which Germany simply does not have to play due to its role as host until the European Championships, Nagelsmann is apparently using the landmark tests as an appetizer for Pavlović so that he can resist possible Serbian offers. And yet there remains at least the theoretical risk that this fine little foot will play for Germany in March, not make it into the European Championship squad in the summer and then decide to play for Serbia. As unlikely as it sounds.
However, Pavlović himself had recently said to t-online about the possible participation with the German national team in the home European Championship: “That would be a dream of mine. That would be very nice.” Being able to recommend himself with further strong performances at Bayern in the next few weeks is “definitely a great extra motivation,” continued Pavlović. (Here you can read more about it.)
With Nuremberg’s Can Uzun, a promising talent recently decided for a future in the Turkish national team – and against a career in the DFB uniform. “I listened to my heart,” the 18-year-old explained to “Sky” about his decision against the German national team.