Concerns for DFB About Losing Another Young German Talent?

Ilyas Ansah’s Rise in the German U21 Team

Ilyas Ansah’s impressive performance for Union Berlin has caught the attention of the German U21 national team, leading to his selection after a remarkable start to the season. With four goals and one assist over ten matches, he has emerged as one of the season’s standout players. His debut for the U21 team came in September, where he made an immediate impact by scoring against Albania. Recently, coach Antonio Di Salvo included him in the current squad once again.

Ghana’s Interest in Ansah

Despite his success, Ansah’s growth is being monitored closely by Ghana. Reports from ‘kicker’ indicate that the Ghanaian Football Association is eager to persuade the young forward to change his national allegiance. They are actively tracking his performance and are reportedly making substantial efforts to recruit him.

Coach Otto Addo’s Connection

Otto Addo, the coach of the Ghanaian national team, has a deep understanding of German football due to his own playing experience in the Bundesliga. Back in November 2024, he mentioned Ansah as a potential asset for his squad during an interview with ‘transfermarkt.de’, at a time when Ansah was still with Paderborn.

World Cup Opportunity for Ghana

One significant advantage Ghana might have in enticing Ansah is their qualification for the 2026 World Cup, which could allow him to participate in the upcoming tournament. However, the likelihood of him receiving a call-up to the senior national team soon appears slim.

A Trend of National Switches

Ansah would not be the first young talent to opt for a different national team, joining players like Ibrahim Maza, who recently chose to represent Algeria despite having progressed through German youth teams.

Julian Nagelsmann’s Position

During a press conference on Monday, coach Julian Nagelsmann expressed his views on the national team selection process, emphasizing that he does not want to pressure any player into representing Germany. He believes that players should contemplate whether they feel a sense of pride and desire to play for their country, rather than simply considering the opportunity to do so.

Selecting Committed Players

Nagelsmann is determined only to welcome those players who genuinely wish to play for Germany. He stated that convincing those who lack this commitment would be pointless.