Germany manager Joachim Low believes that Shkodran Mustafi will be one of the team’s leaders ahead of this summer’s Confederations Cup.
Having announced a senior squad with plenty of new faces involved, it’ll be important for them all to gel and develop an understanding with one another as the defending champions look to secure silverware.
Mesut Özil, Toni Kroos and Jérôme Boateng are just a few of the first-team regulars who have not been chosen on this occasion, instead earning a summer break.
The travelling squad includes three World Cup winners though, with the aforementioned Mustafi alongside Borussia Dortmund defender Matthias Ginter and PSG’s Julian Draxler all expected to feature during next month’s tournament.
Mustafi has recently recovered from a thigh injury and performed well when called upon, form Low will be hoping he can replicate as well as setting an example for the younger and more inexperienced players.
“Who will lead the team will emerge in the next four to five weeks,” Low said.
“Obviously, Sandro Wagner and Lars Stindl have experience, but they’re new to us. We have players in the squad like Jonas Hector, Julian Draxler and Shkodran Mustafi who have already played in tournaments and they will bring qualities and could have leading roles within the team.
“Mustafi brings experience to the team and Matthias Ginter has played in two U21 European Championships.”
Low admitted that he’s looking forward and planning ahead for teh World Cup, though the Confederations Cup can provide them an effective barometer of progress.
“Some players who we’ve already seen play at major tournaments before have been given a break because I think three tournaments in three years is a heavy workload,” Low continued.
“They have been deliberately left out because the 2018 World Cup stands above all else.
“A World Cup triumph is legendary. The Confed Cup is a stop en route to the World Cup and a good warm up opportunity for next year. We want to get to know the country, the people and the atmosphere in Russia,” Low added.