After more than two years, national coach Julian Nagelsmann has called Malick Thiaw back into the DFB squad. The ex-Schalke player impresses at his new club Newcastle United – and has already become a fan favorite in the north-east of England.
They are images that fans love – especially in England, where the physical style of play is known to be particularly appreciated: Malick Thiaw starts a tackle from a full sprint, blocks Tottenham’s Richarlison’s attempted shot and then stands up to celebrate his successful situation with the fans. They shout loudly and celebrate their young central defender, who in turn resolutely stretches his hands towards the stands.
Malik Thiaw’s tackle against Richarlison
This is what happened in Newcastle’s round of 16 game in the English League Cup, when the “Magpies” prevailed 2-0 against their ambitious opponents and one player in particular was praised in the media in the following days: Thiaw, new signing and central defender, whose obvious popularity has already earned him his own fan song in a short time to the tune of “Bella Ciao” – “Bella Thiaw, Thiaw, Thiaw” is obviously the refrain bellowed.
Thiaw: from Milan to Newcastle for 35 million
While Thiaw initially had teething problems after his move from AC Milan to Newcastle in the north of England in the summer, the Düsseldorf native has been playing in every game since September 21st – whether in the Premier League, Champions League or cup competition. For his conspicuously good performances, his club honored the 1.94 meter man as “Player of the Month for October”. Coach Eddie Howe never tires of praising Thiaw’s strong performances.
It’s a development that obviously didn’t go unnoticed by national coach Julian Nagelsmann. “Malick has stabilized and is doing very well as a regular player at Newcastle,” said Nagelsmann recently at the DFB press conference on Thiaw’s nomination – the first in over two years. “He wasn’t with us for a long time, also because he hadn’t played much in Milan for six months. He deserves to be back.”
Defensively stable, with impetus at the front
The stability that the national coach refers to is evident in several facets of Thiaw’s game. Defensively, Hune Thiaw shines with his header game, his speed and his strong physical strength in duels. Thiaw’s forward-oriented defensive posture is also noticeable; in Newcastle’s man-marking system, the 24-year-old repeatedly wins the ball early. Thiaw has also improved his passing game, with which he repeatedly stimulates the game vertically.
The way we play is extremely intense. Much more intense than in Germany or Italy. There is more man coverage, you have to be alert, run a lot, sprint a lot. I adapted well to that.
The skills that Thiaw brings with him almost automatically make him an extremely exciting central defender. Accordingly, it was no big surprise that the great AC Milan signed Thiaw from FC Schalke 04 in the summer of 2022. After 61 competitive games for the Royal Blues, “Milan” struck in the summer of 2022 for just under 13 million euros. Things went well for Thiaw at the Rossoneri, but the central defender repeatedly had to make do with a place on the bench – a development that Nagelsmann also disliked.
Change of dressing finally off the table?
“He has to play, that’s the key,” was Nagelsmann’s sober answer in August this year when asked when Thiaw would be nominated again. Thiaw is doing that now and was promptly nominated for the DFB squad. Thiaw is looking at his fourth international match, one that is also formally important: According to media reports, the Senegalese association recently tried to convince Thiaw to play for his father’s country. With the fourth appearance for Germany, a change of association would be ruled out by FIFA statutes.
Rare celebration: Malick Thiaw (center) scores his first professional goal for Schalke in 2020 – the Royal Blues will be relegated at the end of the season
Thiaw’s chances of playing in the central defense don’t look bad: Antonio Rüdiger is still injured and Nico Schlotterbeck is also at risk of missing out. In Luxembourg (Friday, 8:45 p.m.) and against Slovakia (Monday, 8:45 p.m.), Thiaw should get playing minutes alongside Jonathan Tah and Waldemar Anton.
Thiaw: “I’ve never seen anything like that”
Meanwhile, no brash tones can be heard from Thiaw himself. Even in Milan, Thiaw regularly spoke about wanting to concentrate on his performances and not thinking about the national team. Now the publicly reserved man is enjoying his good time in Newcastle. “It’s unbelievable, I expected a lot and was still surprised,” said Thiaw in the “BeIn Sports” interview a few weeks ago about the atmosphere in St. James Park: “The way the fans go along with every single duel – I’ve never seen anything like that.”
Malick Thiaw celebrates with fans and teammates
Thiaw has also already commented on his own fan song on the club’s own website. “It’s great! I don’t know who invented it, but they did a good job. My friends and family were shocked because I’ve never had my own song before,” said Thiaw, who, like teammate and 75 million newcomer Nick Woltemade, is well received by fans.
Back in DFB uniform: Malick Thiaw (l.) with his national team colleagues Jamie Leweling and Nick Woltemade (r.)
It is unlikely that Thiaw will also hear his name in song creations from DFB fans, given Germany’s fan culture is not geared towards player songs. However, his name is likely to carry weight on the pitch in DFB games in the future. Performance and perspective speak for Thiaw.
Our sources:
- Newcastle vs Tottenham in the Carabao Cup on October 29, 2025
- Newcastle United club website
- DFB press conference with Julian Nagelsmann on November 10, 2025
