“I’d like to single him out”: Has Jürgen Klopp already found the solution to an eternal Germany problem?
Right-back Philipp Treu enjoyed a successful debut in the Germany team in the 1-1 draw against the Netherlands. The 25-year-old could solve an eternal problem - and also seems pretty likeable.
Late in the evening in the catacombs of the Johan Cruyff Arena, a scene played out that neatly captured Philipp Treu's development. Some of the ceiling lights in the mixed zone were not working, leaving the room in semi-darkness and forcing staff to use separate spotlights. When Treu arrived for his interview after the 1-1 against the Netherlands, he first stood slightly off to one side in the shadows before reporters asked him into the light.
That was true in every sense. Treu stepped into the spotlight of German football too. In Jürgen Klopp's combative, strong but footballingly mixed debut as Germany coach, the 25-year-old SC Freiburg right-back came out as the big winner. "I'd like to single out Pippo, Philipp Treu," said his fellow defender Jonathan Tah. "The way he ran up and down the line was top. That's exactly what we need."
Klopp was the only coach to throw one of his many debutants straight into the starting line-up, and Treu repaid that faith with a committed display. He covered huge ground on the right flank and set up Felix Nmecha's opening goal with a low cross.
Defensively, the coordination was not always right, but he still handled Cody Gakpo reasonably well overall. Is Treu the answer to Germany's seemingly endless search for a proper right-back?
Philipp Treu made it to the top by a roundabout route
Former Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann mostly used Joshua Kimmich at right-back as a stopgap. Klopp moved the captain straight into the centre and started looking for alternatives. Or perhaps not looking, because he seemed to have his answer a long time ago. "In Germany, we talk about not having any right-backs," Klopp said at his squad announcement press conference. "And then there's one playing who has to ask himself: Huh, what are they talking about?"
He was talking about Treu, whose intense style is a perfect fit for Klopp's transition football. A bit like Kevin Großkreutz once was at Borussia Dortmund or Andrew Robertson at Liverpool. "Of course it's cool to hear that someone has finally opened their eyes and looked at Freiburg," said Treu, after his successful Germany debut had finally put him in the spotlight. Treu is used to things taking a little longer. He was never seen as an absolute top talent, and his career has taken the scenic route.
Born in Heidelberg, he played as a youngster for SV Sandhausen and 1. FC Kaiserslautern before moving to RB Leipzig. After the deregistration of their reserve side there, Treu joined SC Freiburg in 2017. He won the DFB Junior Cup with the U19s and went up to the 3. Liga with the reserves. But he did not make the step up to the professionals, even if he did at least occasionally support them from the fan block. In 2023, Treu moved to FC St. Pauli in the 2. Bundesliga and won promotion straight away. He was 23 at the time. In 2025, Freiburg brought him back for €5.5 million. As a first-choice player. For the professionals.
Competition with Josha Vagnoman, help from Jonathan Tah
Right now, Treu is battling in that overtaking lane with Josha Vagnoman, who has also developed well recently at VfB Stuttgart and made it into Klopp's first squad. "We push each other," said Treu, before adding with a wink: "I can remember his goal against Bayern, when I'm sitting on the sofa and thinking: Shit, now he's gone and scored." After six competitive matches, Vagnoman already has two goals and two assists.
Against the Netherlands, Klopp still gave Treu the nod. Was he nervous? "No, quite the opposite," Treu replied. "For me, it's extra motivation when I know my direct opponent is Cody Gakpo." Klopp also gave him some insider knowledge on the Dutch forward from their time together at Liverpool: "He said to me: offensively, he can really play, but defensively he doesn't really fancy working back. So I annoyed him."
More than anything, Klopp gave him "a certain sense of looseness", Treu revealed. During the game, though, the man beside him helped most. "Jonathan Tah was always coaching me from behind. He said: 'Hey, you can burst forward, you can sprint, I've got your back.' Something like that gives you a great feeling." The coordination issues were still there, but Treu's bravery paid off for more than just the opening goal.
Afterwards, there was only one moment he regretted, when he passed up a shooting chance. "That's the one where after the game I say: hey, that's where you still have to get better, have the courage and shoot yourself instead of laying it off again," said Treu, who in his interview came across as reflective, cheeky and simply likeable.
Germany may have found a solution at right-back. They may also have found a popular figure and a fans' favourite. "Now it's only just really getting started," said Treu, before stepping out of Amsterdam's spotlight.
