Leeds United star Anton Stach played phone tag with Julian Nagelsmann before learning of his Germany call-up, as his wife screamed in delight in the backrgound.
It's four years since Stach was part of the national team set-up for Germany and Nagelsmann's recent comments about the midfielder doing well but not being exceptionally strong in the air or a top ball-winner cast doubt on involvement in the upcoming friendlies. But Stach's performances in the Premier League have earned Nagelsmann's respect, or at least his intrigue. The 27-year-old deadl-ball specialist will be part of the squad that faces Switzerland and Ghana in friendlies during the upcoming international window.
The call, when it eventually connected, was a special moment for the Elland Road favourite.
"It's funny, because my my wife was there, and a good friend," he said. "And yeah, first of all I have noticed the missed call, and I just saw a German number, and I thought, okay, nice, I have to call back. Then I called back but nobody picked up. Then I put my phone on loud and went on the phone when he called me, and then he said, straight away, his name. And then I was like 'what?!'
"I was just...I don't know where I was. I don't even know what I said to him after, but it was a really nice feeling. My wife and my friend found out, because my wife was leaning next to the phone and heard the name so she was screaming in the background and my friend also. It was a really nice moment."
Stach celebrated in characteristic understated style. "I had to bring my friend back to the central station in Leeds," he told the YEP. "Then we ate shawarma in the city centre and enjoyed the sun because it was really nice weather. Then enjoyed the day."
When the German arrived at Thorp Arch on Thursday for training and media duties ahead of Saturday's meeting with Brentford, his team-mates who had seen the news were quick to congratulate him. "They seem to be very happy for me, so it was very positive," he said.
And boss Daniel Farke was similarly enthused, giving his full backing to the midfielder. The Leeds boss said: "I think it's well deserved. He plays in the best league in the world with unbelievable consistency, his data is on a top level and he's adapted from more or less the first day. Many players who come to the UK need a bit of time to adapt to the intensity, not Anton. He fully deserves this call up. His all-round game is very important for us in terms of winning balls, against the ball, always puts a shift in, wins many duels, has delivered goals and assists, inspired our offensive game, proven he's versatile. He's a key player. If you play with this quality and consistency in the best league in the world you have a chance for a call up."
Continue Reading