Julian Nagelsmann is likely planning to have Leon Goretzka as a starting midfielder at the World Cup

Bayern Munich’s Leon Goretzka has had one of the most interesting careers in recent memory. Time after time, his club has tried to move on from the midfielder but he has become known for being able to stick around despite almost everyone at the club wanting him gone. However, not everyone is so harsh on the German. Despite having diminishing playing time with his club, former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann is planning utilizing Leon Goretzka in a significant role in the upcoming World Cup in the summer.

“As things stand, Leon Goretzka, despite less playing time at Bayern, will have a good chance of playing and having a similar role to the one he played in the World Cup qualifiers. Because he’s someone who gets into the penalty area, is strong in the air, and brings good power to the game. Just think of the match against Northern Ireland: if he hadn’t played, we certainly wouldn’t have won, because he headed away the ball 60 times. There will also be moments at the World Cup when we press high and the opponent plays long balls,” Nagelsmann told kicker as captured by @iMiaSanMia.

This quote has already been heavily scrutinized online from fans crying out against Leon Goretzka’s role with the national team. Nagelsmann claims that Goretzka is the only player that fits the role from Germany, however, many have been quick to argue that point.

Leeds United midfielder Anton Stach has been in great form in the Premier League, in a highly physical league and yet has seemingly been overlooked by Nagelsmann. While it is true that Stach has played more minutes, and has been widely regarded as having a better season than Goretzka, there is one thing that goes in the Bayern Munich veteran’s favor.

Goretzka, despite his lack of playtime and performance at club level, has been in a strong spell of form with the national team, and it is usually a bad sign for international managers to drop a player who has been playing great at the national level.

How far does this go though? Stach’s performance can’t go overlooked for much longer, and perhaps there is an element of Nagelsmann trying to ignite a fire in Goretzka’s competitors.