Julian Nagelsmann: Bayern wonderkid Lennart Karl not ready for senior Germany call-up yet

Julian Nagelsmann says Lennart Karl must prove himself with the German U21 team before a senior team call-up can be considered.

At the age of just 17, Lennart Karl has made a strong impression when he has been given the opportunity for Bayern Munich this season.

There has been talk of a first senior international call-up, but Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann believes Karl should first make his mark with the German U21 squad.

“In general, I’ve always said that I’m not a fan of hyping young players too much, too early,” Nagelsmann said at a press conference on Monday.

“Lennart is doing well at Bayern when he gets playing time. But first he has to go through the U21s and prove himself there. He can play an important role at that level, which is the goal of every Bayern player. At the moment, though, he needs more Bundesliga minutes. It’s still too early,” he added.

With time, Karl seems to have a strong chance of breaking into the senior national team. Like 19-year-old Köln attacker Said El Mala, who has just received his first senior call-up, he possesses qualities that very few other German players have.

“They have different profiles,” Nagelsmann said of Karl and El Mala.

“We don’t have many classic wingers who are good on the ball and can cut inside.”