Löw makes no promises on Germany recalls for Müller and Hummels
A report in Kicker claimed Thomas Müller and Mats Hummels will be recalled by Germany, but Joachim Löw refused to offer any guarantees.
Germany coach Joachim Löw has insisted no final decision has been made on possible recalls for Bayern Munich forward Thomas Müller and Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels. The experienced pair have not played for their country since being told by the coach in March 2019 that they, along with Jérôme Boateng, had no future with the national team.
Löw's decision to focus on younger talent has not always paid dividends, though, and last November's 6-0 demolition by Spain prompted loud calls from the likes of Mesut Özil to bring those senior players back into the fold. A report in Kicker claimed Müller and Hummels are set to be handed places in Löw's Euro 2020 squad, which will be his last major tournament in charge before he steps down after 15 years in the role.
Rebuilding Germany's squad
While insisting he has made no promises over either player's future, Löw did admit the impact of the coronavirus pandemic could mean his planned "upheaval" of the team may have to be put on hold. "I neither opened nor closed the door," he said when asked about Müller and Hummels' possible return. I said that, under normal circumstances, you shouldn't interrupt a radical change. We have the pandemic situation, and perhaps you can consider: should I interrupt the upheaval [of the squad] for a tournament?"
Müller, 31, has played 100 times for Germany since making his debut in 2010 and, like Hummels – who has 70 caps – he was part of the squad that won the World Cup in 2014. Müller's club form over the past two years, particularly during Bayern's treble triumph in 2019-20, has led to a clamour for his return to the national team. Since the start of last season, as well as scoring 27 goals in all competitions, he has provided 37 assists, the most of any player in Europe's top-five leagues apart from Kevin De Bruyne (38). Only two Bundesliga players – Erling Haaland (65) and Robert Lewandowski (109) – have had more direct goal involvements than Müller in that time.
Speaking of a possible comeback with Germany, he said: "I feel comfortable in the [Bayern] team. Standing on the pitch with the boys is fun, and there are a lot of national team players on the pitch. I feel like chasing titles in the summer. We will see if it is the end for me after the Champions League final or whether I will play for the national team. I'm definitely ready."