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Frankfurt / Main (dpa) - Captain Manuel Neuer takes the DFB-Elf into duty early on in the EM year.

The world-class goalkeeper prefers not to make a prognosis about a possible return of Thomas Müller, Jérôme Boateng and Mats Hummels to the German national soccer team.

«Joachim Löw and Oliver Bierhoff have already said that they are looking at all the players who can play for Germany.

I think that says everything in public.

Everything else should be discussed internally, ”said the Bayern Munich goalkeeper in an interview with“ Stern ”(Thursday edition).

"Any further public discussion, whatever the outcome, increases the pressure on young players like Niklas Süle, Serge Gnabry or Leroy Sané, to whom the national coach has made a clear commitment."

Neuer's Bayern colleagues Müller and Boateng, like Dortmund's Hummels, were sorted out by national coach Löw in the spring of 2019 in the course of rebuilding the national team.

Since then, there have been ongoing debates about the trio's return - especially after the 6-0 draw against Spain at the end of the year.

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When asked about the defenders Boateng and Hummels in particular, Neuer said: “We have to act as a unit - no matter who is playing.

That is the bottom line.

I had successful years with Mats and Jérôme.

Let's wait until the national coach nominates. "

Despite the debacle against Spain, Neuer has high goals for the EM.

"I trust us to do everything," he said in an interview published on Wednesday on the homepage of the German Football Association (DFB).

"I'm a positive person, I believe in us, I believe that we have the opportunity to play a good role at the EM."

Neuer's team experienced a humiliation against Spain in mid-November.

That had also sparked a debate about Löw, who should lead the DFB-Elf to the EM in 2021.

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“We know how important the team's mentality is at a tournament, the cohesion within the group.

My job and that of the other leading players is to be sensitive and to counter possible undesirable developments at an early stage, ”said Neuer and already made the national players responsible.

“To become European champion is a big goal, an overwhelming goal.

Each of us is already responsible for doing everything we can to make the greatest contribution we can make in the summer. "

The national team's long winter break will not end until March 25th.

Then it’s up against Iceland, Romania and North Macedonia in the World Cup qualification.

“We have to take these games seriously, but they also have to help us play in for the EM in the summer.

Due to the compact game plan, we otherwise have few opportunities for this.

We mustn't waste time, we have to be wide awake and use every unit, ”demanded Neuer.

DFB interview

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