Thomas Müller has been called up to the senior Germany squad for the first time. The 20-year-old Bayern youth product was named on Friday by national coach Joachim Löw in a 24-strong squad for a friendly international against Cote d’Ivoire in Gelsenkirchen on 18 November.
“The idea is for Thomas to spend three or four days getting a feel for it, and tasting the atmosphere with the national team,” commented Löw. Müller has not been named in the squad for a preceding friendly against Chile in Cologne on 14 November, as he is required by the Germany U-21s for a vital European championship qualifier against Northern Ireland in Belfast the previous day. “We want him to take responsibility there,” explained Löw.
FCB youngster thrilled
“I’m thrilled by the call-up. Being named in the Germany senior squad is a huge honour,” Müller said. “I’ll try and get to know everything, the coach, the team, the environment, as quickly as I can, and make sure I fit in. And if I’m offered a chance, I’ll do my best to take it.”
Müller’s efforts to acclimatise will be aided by four further FCB men. Miroslav Klose, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Philipp Lahm and Mario Gomez are in contention for both the Chile and Cote d’Ivoire friendlies. Werder Bremen’s Aaron Hunt will be the other first-timer when the squad assembles in Bonn next Tuesday.
Badstuber in U-21 squad
Youthful FCB defender Holger Badstuber has himself been named in the U-21 party by coach Rainer Adrion, and is likely to contest both the game in Belfast and the second European championship qualifier in San Marino on 17 November.
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