Moritz Jenz has not yet been able to make a lasting impression at VfL Wolfsburg. A calf injury stopped the newcomer in preparation, and after his first two appearances the central defender sustained a capsule injury. Now the 24-year-old is back on the training pitch with the “Wolves” and still has great ambitions before the home European Championships in 2024.
“My goal is to play in the national team,” said Jenz (quoted via “Kicker“) in a media round. The 1.90 meter tall defensive giant wants to recommend himself to the new national coach Julian Nagelsmann for a regular place at VfL. With a market value of 7.5 million euros, Jenz is one of the 15 most valuable German non-national players; only Timo Hübers (27; 1. FC Köln) and Jordan Beyer (23; FC Burnley) are ahead of him in his position.
Mukhtar, Jenz, Weiser & Co.: Most valuable non-national players in Germany
Mitchell Weiser – Werder Bremen – market value: €6 million
Jenz isn’t tempted by other options either. The defender, who was signed by FC Lorient for 8 million euros, could also play for Nigeria, his father’s homeland. But Jenz has a clear idea: If so, the Berlin native wants to put on the DFB jersey. He has already rejected a request from the Nigerian association in the past.
Wants to stand out at VfL Wolfsburg: Jenz still has no DFB experience
In contrast to many current national players, Jenz never played for the DFB juniors; at the age of 16 he moved abroad to FC Fulham, away from the German spotlight. “Maybe I wasn’t good enough yet,” Jenz admitted openly. It wasn’t until his loan to Schalke 04 last January that he moved back to Germany. The paths of Robin Gosens (29; Union Berlin) as well as the DFB debutants Kevin Behrens (32; Union) and Chris Führich (25; VfB Stuttgart) show that it is possible even without experience in the junior sector.
With returnees Hummels and Führich: Julian Nagelsmann’s first DFB squad
In the “healthy competition” with Cédric Zesiger (25), Maxence Lacroix (23) and Sebastiaan Bornauw (24), Jenz now wants to recommend himself for one of the two places in the Wolfsburg defense center in the long term. “We push each other,” said Jenz, who pointed out that coach Niko Kovac has to make the difficult choice every week. “Every day is an opportunity.” He likes the “very intensive training,” emphasized Jenz, who has had one thing in common with Kovac from the start: “We are both from Berlin.”
Jenz in the TM interview about “religion” Celtic, nickname “Mercedes” and “big dream” of his DFB debut
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