Marc-Andre ter Stegen is entering a crucial period. The goalkeeper is currently in the final stages of his recovery and should be back to full fitness soon.
But whether or not ter Stegen will play after returning to Barcelona is a massive question mark. With the January transfer window just around the corner, many expect the goalkeeper to move on and find more game time elsewhere.
This is especially considering the fact that ter Stegen wants to be Germany’s first-choice keeper for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
Nagelsmann on ter Stegen’s situation
Keeping his situation in mind, German national team coach Julian Nagelsmann has offered a key update on the Barcelona star’s current status.
Nagelsmann highlighted that he doesn’t want ter Stegen to necessarily play for the top-tier outfit. But he made it mandatory that the goalkeeper play often during the second half of the season.
“Yes, we spoke briefly on the phone last week. He’s doing well, that’s the important thing for now. The winter transfer window is never easy. I don’t make it a condition that he has to play for a top-flight club; that’s a matter of interpretation.
“What is a top-flight club? For him, the important thing is that he’s not 22 years old; it’s important that he plays,” he said (h/t SPORT).
Nagelsmann added that the most important thing for ter Stegen right now is to get playing time, regardless of the club.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen, FC Barcelona player
Ter Stegen is facing crucial months ahead. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
“Whether it’s a top-tier European club or not isn’t the most decisive factor. Of course, it would be good for him to play, and to play well, but the first thing is that he plays. I think there’s no news yet; the situation isn’t simple,” he added,
The German national team coach went on to talk about the Barcelona captain’s fitness and the future ahead.
**“We have to see how healthy he is, how fit he is. He’s back in training now. We also have to look at it from a club’s point of view. It’s clear that there must be some club that, obviously, isn’t very happy with their goalkeeper in the winter transfer window.**“
Talking about Barcelona’s goalkeeper situation, Nagelsmann admitted he can’t influence anything.
“Otherwise, you don’t usually sign a top-quality goalkeeper, and the situation isn’t easy, but I’m confident that some club will make a move, because Marc is a very good goalkeeper, and now he’s healthy again. We’ll see; I can’t influence that,” he said.
Finally, Nagelsmann sounded a soft warning to ter Stegen while expressing hope that he will be able to play again regularly this season.
“We’re all happy he’s healthy, and we hope he becomes the starting goalkeeper for a club, and then we’ll proceed with the plan as we had envisioned. If that doesn’t happen, we’ll have to continue reflecting on the much-discussed goalkeeper situation,” he concluded.