Alexander Nubel has broken his silence on the Germany goalkeeping crisis, insisting he’s “open” to stepping up as the national team scrambles for a No.1 ahead of the World Cup .
The Stuttgart shot stopper, speaking exclusively to NDTV in a relaxed chat after the Wolfsburg game, addressed the elephant in the room: Marc André ter Stegen’s injury nightmare and what it means for the Mannschaft .
“Yeah, first, upset for Marc in Barcelona and then Girona with the injuries,” Nubel said, with genuine sympathy for his rival. “And now, yeah, Oli Baumann and I, we have been there two years. Oli is there, and I’ve been in the national team for about two years now. I’m open.”
That’s the sound of a man ready to seize his moment.
THE TER STEGEN TRAGEDY
Let’s be real this wasn’t supposed to happen. When Manuel Neuer finally hung up his gloves, ter Stegen was the anointed heir. The Barcelona keeper had waited years, played second fiddle, stayed patient. His time had come.
Then the injuries hit. And kept hitting. A string of long term problems have left Julian Nagelsmann scrambling for alternatives just months before the World Cup .
Now it’s between Nubel and Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann. Two keepers who’ve been in the squad for two years, waiting for exactly this moment.
THE BAYERN QUESTION
Nubel’s club future is just as complicated. He’s still a Bayern player contract until 2029 but realistically? His future’s elsewhere .
“I don’t know yet. I’m very happy here, to be honest,” he admitted when asked about a permanent Stuttgart switch. “Yes, I still have a contract in Munich until 2029, but I’m very happy. It’ll last two and a half years, and I don’t know yet what I’m doing. I’m calm and there’s nothing to say now.”
The Bayern brass are reportedly demanding €25/30m for a permanent sale . Stuttgart can’t afford that, at least not without major wage cuts from Nubel himself, who’d need to halve his current €10m a year package .
There’s even talk of ANOTHER loan. BILD’s “Bayern Insider” podcast recently revealed the door isn’t as closed as everyone thought . Everything depends on Manuel Neuer’s next move. If the 39 year old extends again, Nubel’s definitely gone. If Neuer finally calls it quits? There’s a tiny window.
HOENESS PRAISE
One thing’s certain, Nubel’s thriving under Sebastian Hoeness at Stuttgart. The keeper couldn’t stop raving about his boss.
“Sebastian is doing a great job, obviously,” he said. “After the first year in second place, some big players left us. Now we have a good team again.”
Stuttgart are flying through the Europa League play offs against Celtic, now facing Porto, and in the German Cup semi finals against Freiburg .
“He’s doing a great job also for the team in the back. He’s talking a lot with the guys, also with the guys who are not playing so much. That’s very important for all of us. So, great coach.”
THE WORLD CUP PICTURE
With matches approaching in March, Nubel’s keeping his options open but his focus sharp.
“I’m happy to be there. And if I can, if I get the opportunity to play, I’m happy. But yeah, there’s still time.”
Nagelsmann’s got a decision to make. Baumann’s been solid. Nubel’s been excellent. And somewhere in Barcelona, ter Stegen is fighting yet another rehab battle.
The Germany goalkeeping jersey is up for grabs. Nubel’s just told the world he’s ready to take it.
