DFB newcomer Armel Bella-Kotchap: “Learn something from everyone”

Regular at FC Southampton

Armel Bella-Kotchap sees his first nomination for the German national team primarily as an opportunity to develop further. “I want to learn something from everyone,” emphasized the FC Southampton defender upon his arrival at the DFB team hotel in Gravenbruch. The 20-year-old is the second youngest player in national coach Hansi Flick’s squad after Bayern’s Jamal Musiala (19).

The 24-man squad of the DFB for the Nations League games in September

Goal: Manuel Neuer (Bayern)

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These 24 players are part of Hansi Flick’s squad for the Nations League games against Hungary on September 23 in Leipzig and three days later in London against England.

Goal: Kevin Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt)

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Goal: Marc-Andre ter Stegen (FC Barcelona)

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Defence: Armel Bella-Kotchap (Southampton FC)

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Defense: Matthias Ginter (SC Freiburg)

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Defense: Robin Gosens (Inter Milan)

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Defence: Thilo Kehrer (West Ham United)

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Defense: David Raum (RB Leipzig)

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Defense: Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid)

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Defense: Niklas Süle (BVB)

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Defense: Nico Schlotterbeck (BVB)

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Midfield/attack: Julian Brandt (BVB)

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Midfield/attack: Serge Gnabry (FC Bayern)

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Midfield/attack: Leon Goretzka (FC Bayern)

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Midfield/Attack: Ilkay Gundogan (Man City)

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Midfield/Attack: Kai Havertz (Chelsea)

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Midfield/attack: Jonas Hofmann (Gladbach)

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Midfield/attack: Joshua Kimmich (FC Bayern)

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Midfield/attack: Thomas Müller (FC Bayern)

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Midfield/attack: Jamal Musiala (FC Bayern)

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Midfield/attack: Lukas Nmecha (VfL Wolfsburg)

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Midfield/attack: Marco Reus (BVB)*

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*The BVB professional is out due to an injury.

Midfield/attack: Benjamin Henrichs (RB Leipzig)*

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*The Leipzig player was nominated for Marco Reus.

Midfield/attack: Leroy Sané (FC Bayern)

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Midfield/attack: Timo Werner (RB Leipzig)

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Flick caused a surprise when he called the newcomer. “I didn’t know the number,” said Bella-Kotchap, who was “very surprised” but also “very pleased” by the news. “The coach has said that I’ve performed well in recent weeks and that’s why he nominated me.”

Bella-Kotchap moved from his youth club VfL Bochum to Southampton in the transfer summer for a fee of 10 million euros, where he immediately became a regular under coach Ralph Hasenhüttl and has played six Premier League games to date. He was among the big winners in England’s most recent market value update, posting a plus of €10m to a career high of €16m.

“The club showed me a very good plan and I have the opportunity to work on my weaknesses every day. The coach trusts me, the relationship between us is very good and I hope it will continue like this,” said Bella-Kotchap, who has signed a contract with the “Saints” until 2026. First of all, he is “proud” to belong to the senior national team. “I just want to show good performances here and convince the coach,” said the ex-Bochumer, who had previously gone through all junior years at the DFB. During the international break he will “give everything” to progress in his development. The opportunities to do so are “given here,” he said. The DFB selection will face Hungary in the Nations League on Friday before the duel with England three days later.

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