Malick Thiaw’s World Cup dream is alive again after the Newcastle United defender earned a Germany recall.
Newcastle United snapped up Malick Thiaw in August after chasing the centre-back for more than a year.
Eddie Howe’s patience has paid off, and Thiaw has made a huge impact in the early weeks of his Newcastle career.
Despite shining for Newcastle, Thiaw was snubbed from the Germany squad in October, and his World Cup dream appeared to be over.
Julian Nagelsmann has now praised Thiaw after recalling him to the German side, having last been capped in 2023.
Side profile of Sven Botman.
Photo by Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty Images
Malick Thiaw recall shines light on Sven Botman snub
Thiaw would have virtually kissed the World Cup goodbye if he hadn’t been called up this time.
Nagelsmann has seen enough to bring Thiaw back in, and the Newcastle defender will look to lock down his World Cup spot.
Thiaw’s partner in crime at Newcastle is Sven Botman, who has probably given up all hope of playing at the World Cup.
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Botman has been exceptional alongside Thiaw, but remarkably hasn’t earned a single Netherlands cap at the age of 25.
Injuries have been a factor here, but Botman doesn’t even get a look-in under Ronald Koeman.
This is the penultimate international break before the World Cup, and Botman is running out of time to impress Koeman.
To Botman’s credit, he could hardly have done more this season.
Botman has struggled off his injury hell to turn in some fine displays, especially with Thiaw by his side.
Thiaw has impressed Nagelsmann, and Botman at least deserves a chance to prove that he should play at the World Cup as well.
Sven Botman faces stern competition in Netherlands setup
Botman was a regular for the Netherlands at youth level, but has been continuously snubbed at senior level.
The biggest problem for Botman is that he faces incredible competition for places in the Netherlands setup.
Virgil van Dijk is the leader of the Dutch back line, but fellow Premier League centre-backs Jan Paul van Hecke, Nathan Ake, Matthijs de Ligt and Micky van de Ven are also in the mix.
Jurrien Timber can play at centre-back if needed, and Inter Milan veteran Stefan de Vrij cannot be ignored.
We can understand Koeman having plenty of options, but Botman should at least be vying with some of those defenders rather than completely out in the cold.
Maybe Botman’s time will come once Van Dijk and De Vrij step away from international duty, but the Newcastle star has more than earned an opportunity right now after shining alongside Thiaw.