After poor years, Jonathan Tah is suddenly a beacon of hope in the DFB team because he is taking on leadership roles in Leverkusen’s successful team – despite his disposition.
Jonathan Tah’s debut in the national team was seven and a half years ago: on March 26, 2016, when he was just 20 years old, he was allowed to play in central defense in the prestigious test duel with England (2:3). Since then, however, he has only made 18 appearances, often watching from the bench, otherwise he was injured or not called up.
But now, at 27, Tah is more in demand than ever in the DFB team. This is due to the fact that his competitors have failed to keep the number of goals conceded within limits in recent years. The trust of the new national coach Julian Nagelsmann also plays a role. But above all it is due to Tah’s leap in development and the rise in the club.
More possible Right defender
Of course it makes a difference that he is the undefeated league leader with Bayer Leverkusen, said Tah in the Sportschau interview at the DFB campus in Frankfurt. “It gives you a lot of self-confidence when you come here with such a starting point. I’ve experienced it differently before.”
He was allowed to play in each of the most recent three international matches. Against Mexico (2:2) he started in his regular position in central defense, against France (2:1) and the USA (3:1) he impressed in the unusual role of right-back. There he is now seen as a serious, stabilizing alternative should Nagelsmann Joshua Kimmich continue to play in the defensive midfield.
Kimmich was missing recently, but is back for the friendly games against Turkey on Saturday in Berlin (8.45 p.m., live in the audio stream) and three days later in Vienna against Austria (live in the audio stream).
Leadership role at Bayer Leverkusen
Even regardless of the current winning spree with Bayer, he has learned something new, said Tah – who describes himself as a calmer soul. “I would think it would be a shame if I didn’t develop further. As you get older, you take on more responsibility on the pitch, you speak up more, even off the pitch in the dressing room. I’ve definitely developed into this role, especially at Leverkusen .”
His club coach Xabi Alonso told him that he also expected him to be loud. After all, his position means that he can and should conduct a lot.
Some competitors left behind
Tah could also be considered as co-defense leader alongside Antonio Rüdiger in the national team if returnee Mats Hummels weakens or fails. In any case, he has gained an advantage over other competitors. Niklas Süle (Borussia Dortmund) and Thilo Kehrer (West Ham) usually sit on the bench at their clubs, Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck makes too many mistakes and has so far been spurned by Nagelsmann.
The competition is still present in the squad, said Tah. “The national team is always about showing yourself. Of course you feel that somewhere, even with the new coach, and we want to live up to expectations.” After all, everyone has the big goal of home European Championships in 2024 in mind.