Jürgen Klopp did not need much time to form an opinion on Lennart Karl.
The new Germany head coach has clearly been impressed by the Bayern Munich teenager, describing Karl as a player who immediately caught his attention when the two first met. Klopp’s comments also offered a glimpse into the personality he sees behind the impressive performances on the pitch.
Speaking about Karl, Klopp gave insight into what his initial impression of the youngster was.
“When I met Lennart for the first time and shook
his hand, I immediately realized: this boy is ready. He’s a real powerhouse and very confident, with very pleasant manners. He’s also a bit ‘cheeky/sassy’, which I like. He had some outstanding moments before his injury. It was a really unfortunate time for him to get injured,” Klopp said (as captured by @iMiaSanMia).
That combination of confidence, personality and ability appears to be exactly what Klopp appreciates about the 18-year-old. Karl has already made an impression at Bayern Munich this season, showing the attacking ambition and fearlessness that have made him one of the club’s most exciting young players.
Unfortunately, an injury interrupted his momentum at a particularly inconvenient time. Klopp’s comments suggest, however, that the setback has not changed his view of Karl’s potential.
For a young player trying to establish himself at Bayern Munich and now around the Germany setup, getting that kind of public endorsement from Klopp is significant. The “cheeky” part probably will not hurt, either.
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