Could Philipp Treu Be Jürgen Klopp's Solution to Germany's Right-Back Dilemma?

A New Era for Germany with Jürgen Klopp

On July 24, Jürgen Klopp took the helm as Germany's head coach amid intense media buzz. Following a disappointing World Cup exit against Paraguay under Julian Nagelsmann, Klopp aimed to reset the team's fortunes and inspire a fresh start not only for the national side but perhaps the country’s football spirit. Klopp mentioned he was considering 57 outfield players, with Philipp Treu among those on his radar.

Philipp Treu: A Steady Climb to Recognition

The 25-year-old right-back from SC Freiburg has steadily built his career, becoming an indispensable figure for his club, which recently secured consecutive European qualifications. Last season, Treu helped Freiburg reach the Europa League final against Aston Villa. His solid performances mark him as a strong contender for the national team, especially in a position where Germany has struggled to find dependable options.

Right-Back Woes and Treu’s Potential

Treu openly acknowledged the scarcity of choices at full-back within Germany in an interview with kicker. This shortage once forced Nagelsmann to reposition Bayern's vice-captain Joshua Kimmich back to right-back, despite Kimmich playing as a defensive midfielder at club level. The experiment faltered during the Paraguay match, leading fans and experts to prefer seeing Kimmich in midfield. Klopp might now have an alternative in Treu, who dreams of wearing the German eagle on his chest someday.

Echoes of Kevin Großkreutz

Some parallels exist between Treu and Kevin Großkreutz, a player Klopp transformed at Borussia Dortmund. When Dortmund faced shortages in the 2013/14 season, Großkreutz was deployed at right-back and impressed enough to earn a World Cup call-up, although he did not feature in matches. Großkreutz's energy, relentless work rate, and physicality were key traits Klopp valued, qualities Treu also displays at Freiburg.

Career Path Marked by Thoughtful Decisions

Three and a half years ago, Treu captained Freiburg’s second team in the 3. Liga, far from the national spotlight. Choosing game time over status, he transferred to FC St. Pauli in 2023 for €500,000 rather than remain a fringe Bundesliga squad member. After earning promotion with St. Pauli and helping them avoid relegation the following season, he returned to Freiburg in 2025 for €5.5 million—eleven times the fee paid earlier. Now, valued at €15 million, his rise continues.

• Timeline of Philipp Treu's Career Moves:
• 2023: Moved from Freiburg II to FC St. Pauli (€500,000)
• 2023/24 Season: Promoted to Bundesliga with St. Pauli
• 2025: Returned to SC Freiburg (€5.5 million)
• Current Market Value: €15 million

Freiburg’s sporting director, Klemens Hartenbach, expressed satisfaction with Treu’s development and return. Treu himself admitted to kicker that while he still feels some distance from the national team, that gap has been closing steadily.

Klopp’s Vision and Treu’s Future

Jürgen Klopp values hunger and determination in his players, traits Treu has demonstrated consistently. Given Germany's struggles finding a reliable right-back, Treu’s emergence could address a long-standing problem. When Klopp announces his 26-man squad for the upcoming Nations League in September, Treu may well be included, stepping closer to his dream of representing Germany on the international stage.