Jürgen Klopp's First Germany Squad Includes Rising Star Said El Mala

Jürgen Klopp is set to put his own stamp on Germany straight away – and Said El Mala looks poised to be one of the first big calls of his reign.

According to Kicker, the new Bundestrainer plans to name the 1. FC Köln winger in his maiden squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures, with the announcement due on Thursday. It would be a rapid rise for a player who only truly exploded onto the Bundesliga stage last season.

El Mala, 20, has already had a taste of the national team environment. Julian Nagelsmann brought him into the senior squad for the first time in November last year, but the youngster never made it off the bench and is still waiting for his debut. That wait might soon be over.

The Köln attacker opened the new league campaign with a statement, scoring in the dramatic 3-2 win over Hoffenheim. Illness then kept him out of the 4-1 defeat to Stuttgart, a blunt reminder of how quickly momentum can stall for a young player. He returned at the weekend, coming off the bench in the 1-1 draw with Werder Bremen, easing himself back into rhythm just as national-team decisions loom.

His numbers from last season demand attention. El Mala broke through in style, delivering 13 goals and five assists across 34 Bundesliga appearances. Those figures, from a wide player in a side battling at the wrong end of the table, were always going to catch the eye of any incoming national coach.

Now Klopp, preparing his first Germany squad and a new era in the Nations League, appears ready to reward that form. For El Mala, the next list of names read out on Thursday could mark the moment promise turns into a genuine international career.