Hoeneß also touts Stiller and Vagnoman for national team, Sosa comments on Stuttgart's season

When it came time to talk to Germany’s preeminent footballing publication, Kicker Magazine, about the inclusion of four of his players in Bundestrainer Julian Nagelsmann’s latest incarnation of the German Nationalmannschaft, VfB Stuttgart trainer Sebastian Hoeneß naturally expressed pride in the fact that his successful work with a specific quartet of players had been confirmed. The 41-year-old nevertheless did not stop with mere talk of Chris Führich, Deniz Undav, Maximilian Mittelstädt, and Waldemar Anton.

Hoeneß revealed that – in his direct conversion with Nagelsmann – the Bundestrainer revealed that he was keeping a close eye on 22-year-old Angelo Stiller. The 17-times-capped Germany U21 international has played a fantastic season, starting 23 of the club’s 25 fixtures in the league. Stiller has done just about as good a job of filling in for the departed Wataru Endo as one could reasonably expect, racking up four assists as the team’s new midfield mainstay.

After noting that Nagelsmann was “keeping a close eye” on Stiller, Hoeneß also mentioned 23-year-old right-back Josha Vagnoman as a prospect who should definitely remain in Nagelsmann’s sights. Injuries have limited the 15-times-capped Germany U21 international to just nine starts this season, but Vagnoman has scored two goals and pocketed two assists among his many solid performances.

Vagnoman has already been capped once at senior level after previous Bundestrainer Hans Dieter Flick called him up one year ago during the March international break. He earned his first and only German cap as a late sub during the 2-3 loss to Belgium. Hoeneß was unequivocal in his support for the Hamburg native, noting that “Josha can defend some of the best players in Europe”.

Interestingly enough, another news story involving both Stuttgart and the German national team cropped up early Saturday morning. Former VfB star Borna Sosa – once under heavy observation by the German FA to play left-back for the country ahead of the 2021 Euros – conducted an interview with transfermarkt’s main German site. Sosa ultimately opted to continue representing Croatia; something that significantly affected his club career.

Sosa spoke on his decision to leave Stuttgart this summer; a choice heavily influenced by the fact that he wanted to further his career by moving to a Champions’ League club. With more than a few laughs attached, the 26-year-old remarked that he had no idea that the team he contested the relegation playoffs with last year would end up becoming a safe bet to secure a UCL place.

“I had totally different feelings with the national team and at the club,” Sosa told transfermarkt, “I finished third at the World Cup with Croatia, but I was in a relegation battle with VfB. It was completely different football.That annoyed me because I really wanted to play internationally. At a club that wins six or seven out of ten games. I didn’t have the feeling that this would happen so quickly in Stuttgart, which is why I wanted to leave.”

“Of course, I wonder what might have happened if I had stayed,” Sosa continued, “But who knows? Perhaps with myself, Endo, and Mavropanos we wouldn’t have played such a season. I’m still proud because we kept the club in the Bundesliga during that bad phase and gave them a chance to play like this. I’m happy for the club, VfB has a great team and is a great club.”

“Sebastian Hoeneß is the right coach for the team,” Sosa said when asked about his former trainer, “He’s understanding and you can talk to him like a friend. He helps give you reason to fight for him in every game. When I transferred, I wrote to him that he’s a great person and that I was sure Stuttgart would play a ‘normal’ season. By that, I meant they would stay out of the relegation race.”

“That would be cool!” Sosa remarked with great enthusiasm when asked about the prospect of Stuttgart and his current club Ajax potentially meeting in the Champions’ League next season, “I want that to happen. I had a good relationship with the VfB fans, I really like the club. I experienced a lot there, that will remain in both my head and heart forever.”

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