📈 From 3. Liga to Germany? He could solve Klopp's biggest problem

Hardly any German professional footballer has enjoyed such a rapid rise in recent years as Philipp Treu . Just three years ago, the right-back was still playing in the 3. Liga. Back then, nothing — truly nothing — suggested that he would one day feature for the German national team . But things have changed.

Treu never took the quick route, always the logical next step instead. From captain of SC Freiburg 's second team, he became a Bundesliga player at FC St. Pauli , before returning to Breisgau in the summer of 2025 after two years at the Millerntor — this time, however, as part of the senior squad.

The 25-year-old quickly developed into a key player at the second attempt and was one of the faces of last season's hugely successful campaign. Sport-Club reached the Europa League final and once again qualified for Europe through the league. Treu was always a reliable presence throughout. Across all competitions, he made 46 appearances.

Quietly and without much fuss, the calls for a DFB call-up therefore grew louder. It was not enough for a place in the World Cup squad, however, as Julian Nagelsmann opted against taking the dynamic full-back to the USA, Canada and Mexico .

Will DFB captain Kimmich benefit from Treu?

A few months later — after another botched DFB tournament and a strong start to the season for Freiburg — the tide now seems to have turned. Treu has every chance of being among the chosen few of new Germany head coach Jürgen Klopp. And this is where the whole story gets really exciting: the Freiburg man might not just be a bit-part player for the four-time world champions, but rather an immediate solution to a problem. His biggest asset is that he is a classic right-back.

Because Germany's perhaps biggest squad issue goes by the name of Joshua Kimmich — ironically, perhaps their most reliable player. Not because the Bayern star is too poor despite some disappointing tournaments. Quite the opposite. Rather, it is because he is at his most valuable in central midfield.

That is where Kimmich has played for Bayern for years, where he organizes the game, dictates the tempo and takes responsibility. In the DFB team, by contrast, he has almost always had to fill in in the back four because of a lack of viable alternatives. In that role, however, Kimmich's athletic shortcomings have repeatedly been exposed. At the same time, Germany's midfield lacked its most dominant tempo-setter.

Under Klopp, the 31-year-old is now likely to return to the engine room. Treu, in turn, is among the most promising candidates to take over the then-vacant spot on the right side of defence. The Heidelberg native can play at high intensity and puts in a sharp shift both going forward and at the back.

Treu himself, by the way, has made no secret of his ambitions. In recent months, he has spoken several times about his dream of one day wearing the eagle on his chest. "In any case, we don't have all that many options at full-back in Germany," he said in a March interview with kicker.

Speaking to Sky ahead of Thursday's squad announcement, the Freiburg player also revealed a phone call with Jürgen Klopp. "I had a FaceTime call with the national coach. It was a cool conversation to get an idea of what his plan is. I can only say positive things. Whether it'll be enough on Thursday, we'll see."

The dream of a first DFB call-up therefore seems more within reach than ever.