Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Kramer: DFB comeback “minimal realistic”

Gladbach pro in demand all-rounder

Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Christoph Kramer will take part in the World Cup in Qatar – but in all probability not as a player, as he did when he won the title in Brazil in 2014, but as a TV expert on ZDF, who, among other things, will comment on the games of the German national team. The veteran does not believe that anything will change before the start in November.

“Of course it’s an honor for me to be listed as a candidate for the World Cup again. To be honest, I don’t necessarily see it as realistic. I know that a lot can happen in football – in one direction or the other. So my answer today is: It’s minimally realistic that I’m standing on the lawn,” Kramer explained in an interview with the “DeichStube”. The 31-year-old all-rounder has played twelve games for the DFB selection so far – his last one on March 29, 2016 in a 4-1 win over Italy.

Under the new Gladbach trainer Daniel Farke, Kramer successfully passed the eventing test. Therefore, he will probably take up the offensive midfield position again in the league game against Werder Bremen on Saturday (6.30 p.m.). “It may not be his natural position. But he managed it fantastically in the end,” said Farke. “We know he can fill the position and he’s definitely an option for the game in Bremen.”

Gladbach’s all-rounder Kramer: “I like to slip into new roles”

The central offensive position is not that new for Kramer. “In fact, I’m originally from the ten, because that’s the position I played in youth. I like slipping into new roles, I enjoy it. It’s always a new challenge. That’s why I was happy to play further up the field this time,” said the Solingen player, who had previously switched to central defense in the game at SC Freiburg.

Now the defensive midfielder has to go up front again because colleagues Florian Neuhaus, Hannes Wolf and Alassane Plea are injured or not yet fit. In the “DeichStube” interview, Kramer added: “I like to work my way into new roles. As long as it doesn’t go to the flank, I don’t really care where I play. I can play anything in the headquarters.”

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