Reports: Keidel a surprise pick but no Undav in Klopp's Germany squad

Felix Keidel from promoted Elversberg is set to be a surprise name in Jürgen Klopp's first Germany squad, while there is no place for VfB Stuttgart striker Deniz Undav, media reports said on Wednesday.

Kicker sports magazine reported that Keidel will be picked for four upcoming Nations League matches, although he has played a mere three Bundesliga matches.

The Bild newspaper said that the 23-year-old right back and defensive midfielder would be named on Thursday by former Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool coach Klopp, who took over from Julian Nagelsmann after another early World Cup exit.

Keidel has played in midfield this season, but Klopp may be considering him as a right back if he decides to move Germany captain Joshua Kimmich back into midfield, where he plays at Bayern Munich.

"Players will get opportunities who may not even be expecting them yet," Klopp said at his presentation in July.

Klopp is reportedly also expected to turn to Eintracht Frankfurt forwards Younes Ebnoutalib and Jonathan Burkardt. Stuttgart's Finn Jeltsch is also being summoned for the first time, Bild said.

Ebnoutalib would be making his Germany debut. The striker is also eligible to represent Morocco.

This could be bad news for the likes of forwards Leroy Sané, Nick Woltemade and Undav.

Sky TV reported late on Tuesday that Stuttgart captain Undav has been told in a personal conversation with Klopp that he will not be included.

The 30-year-old is yet to score this season. He has, however, provided four assists in all competitions and has an impressive record for Germany, scoring nine goals in just 13 international appearances. He scored three times at the World Cup earlier this year as a substitute. 

Klopp appears to be looking for players who are the best candidates for his high-paced, power football. Reports say he could call-up as many as 40 players.

Ter Stegen as number one?

There are also reports that Cologne's uncapped young forward Saïd El Mala is apart of the squad along with once-capped Inter Milan defender Yann Bisseck.

Ajax goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen is due to return from a long injury-related absence which made him miss the World Cup and should start, media have speculated. But Hoffenheim's Oliver Baumann, who was between the posts in all World Cup qualifiers, will reportedly not be invited by Klopp. 

Germany play their first matches under Klopp away to the Netherlands on September 24, at home to Greece on September 27 and Serbia on October 1, before travelling to Greece on October 4.

Klopp is expected to nominate more than 23 players allowed into a matchday squad in an effort to give newcomers a chance and manage the workload for others such as Nico Schlotterbeck and Jamal Musiala, who are returning from injury and health problems, respectively.

Schlotterbeck and Musiala are part of an eight-player core which also includes Kimmich, Florian Wirtz, Kai Havertz, Jonathan Tah, Nathaniel Brown and Aleksandar Pavlović, reports say.

But half of the 27 players from the World Cup squad may not be chosen as Klopp looks for a fresh start with an eye on the next big event - Euro 2028.

Expectations in Germany that the charismatic coach can bring back the glory days are huge, but Klopp has tried to keep them in check for himself and the players.

"We need to create expectations that can be met, where you can also tend to over-perform, that's where it starts," he has said. 

"You're not always successful right away, we all know that." 

Klopp first wants to create a positive atmosphere again after three World Cup flops in a row.