Per Mertesacker, the former Arsenal defender and current head of the club’s academy, has weighed in on who he believes should be the next captain of the German national team following Ilkay Gündogan’s retirement from international duty.

Mertesacker, who was a key figure in Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning squad and earned 104 caps for his country, has proposed Jonathan Tah as the ideal successor for the captain’s armband.

LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - AUGUST 10: Jonathan Tah of Leverkusen enetrs the pitch during the pre-season friendly match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Real Betis on August 10, 2024 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY – AUGUST 10: Jonathan Tah of Leverkusen enetrs the pitch during the pre-season friendly match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Real Betis on August 10, 2024 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)

Speaking at the Sport-Bild Awards in Hamburg, Mertesacker praised Tah, the 28-year-old central defender for Bayer Leverkusen, as a “very, very stable character” and a player who embodies the qualities needed in a leader for Germany.

“Tah is very solid, matter-of-fact, and stands for something. I think we need a stable character who has really been through many ups and downs and is now simply standing there. That’s why I would choose him,” said Mertesacker.

Tah has become a mainstay at Leverkusen, helping the club secure the Bundesliga title last season. His consistency and resilience have caught the attention of many, and Mertesacker’s endorsement could add weight to his candidacy as national coach Julian Nagelsmann deliberates on who will take on the leadership role.

MOENCHENGLADBACH, GERMANY - AUGUST 23: Jonathan Tah of Bayer Leverkusen reacts during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Borussia-Park on August 23, 2024 in Moenchengladbach, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
MOENCHENGLADBACH, GERMANY – AUGUST 23: Jonathan Tah of Bayer Leverkusen reacts during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Borussia-Park on August 23, 2024 in Moenchengladbach, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Mertesacker’s connection to German football remains strong, despite his current focus at Arsenal, where he has transformed the academy since taking the reins in 2018.

As a player, Mertesacker was known for his leadership qualities both at Arsenal, where he was club captain from 2016 until his retirement in 2018, and with the German national team. His ability to remain calm under pressure and lead by example earned him respect across the board, qualities he sees reflected in Tah.

While Mertesacker’s backing of Tah is significant, Joshua Kimmich of Bayern Munich is widely considered the favourite to take over as captain.

Kimmich, 29, has been a core figure for both Bayern and the national team and would bring experience and energy to the role. However, Mertesacker’s mention of Tah as a “solid character” suggests he values stability and consistency over more high-profile names.

Mertesacker’s suggestion adds an interesting dynamic to the ongoing debate over who should replace Gündogan as Germany’s captain.

With the team looking to rebuild under Nagelsmann following a disappointing run of results, leadership will be critical in guiding the squad forward. Whether Tah gets the nod or not, Mertesacker’s opinion reflects his belief in the importance of resilience and character—qualities that defined his own career both at Arsenal and on the international stage.

As discussions continue within the DFB, it remains to be seen who will wear the armband, but Mertesacker’s endorsement of Tah certainly gives the Leverkusen defender a boost in the conversation.