Hansi Flick lauds reported Newcastle United transfer target Nico Schlotterbeck for showing what is possible with ‘enormous’ gains at Freiburg ahead of his Germany debut, via Kicker.
Schlotterbeck will make his Die Mannschaft bow on Saturday night when the Nationalelf host Israel in a friendly. Flick has confirmed the centre-back will open the tie, having failed to feature during his past two call-ups while missing their November games through injury.
Flick is keen to use Germany’s March internationals as a chance to assess his fringe players for the World Cup. Schlotterbeck entered his plans for the first time in September for their qualifying fixtures. But he overlooked the 22-year-old as Die Mannschaft went unbeaten.
A string of strong showings for Freiburg under Christian Streich has ensured Schlotterbeck has stayed in the reckoning, though. He has helped to keep eight clean sheets over his 25 Bundesliga outings, enough for Breisgau-Brasilianer to fight for a Champions League place.
Only Bayern Munich (28) have conceded fewer than Streich’s fifth-place outfit (29) in their 27 fixtures so far in all. While Schlotterbeck’s performances drew interest from Newcastle in the January transfer market, as they sought to raid Freiburg to better their survival bid.
According to 90min, the Magpies made an offer exceeding £40m for the Waiblingen-born enforcer. The Daily Mail also reported talks resumed later in the month after he rejected a move to Tyneside. While Sport1 note Freiburg would now sell him for just €20m (£16.5m).
Germany boss Flick hails Newcastle target Schlotterbeck for ‘enormous progress’
Newcastle could look to revive their interest in Schlotterbeck’s transfer from Freiburg at the end of the season, at which point he will be a full German international under Flick.
Breisgau-Brasilianer may also be more receptive to his exit at the conclusion of their push for European football. While Eddie Howe would gain from his extra learning opportunities, which Flick believes Schlotterbeck has used to good effect at an exorbitant rate this term.
“Nico is making enormous progress, he defends very well, is very self-confident,” Flick said. “I like that. Sometimes he’s just a tad too comfortable and takes himself out. Streich agrees. But overall, Nico’s example shows what is possible when young players play too.”
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