TalkSoccer - Soccer / Football Forum - View Single Post - Jens Lehmann thread ~ Announces International retirement

**Vargas_4** · 23-12-2007, 12:00 AM

Out of favour Arsenal keeper Jens Lehman has been backed by Germany captain Michael Ballack to maintain the national team number one jersey ahead of Euro 2008.

Manuel Almunia has replaced the 38 year old keeper between the posts at the Emirates this season.

Lehman’s lack of first-team experience has caused concern in Germany, who are amongst the favourites to win the tournament.

Despite this Ballack feels that the experienced keeper is still the best in the land.

"For me, there is simply no discussion about who should be Germany's goalkeeper," Ballack told German tabloid Bild.

"Jens is the best we have by some distance.

"I am convinced of his mental strength and his physical fitness. I don't believe it is a problem for the team, even if he doesn't play regularly with Arsenal.

"Jens is a 38-year-old, he has collected enough playing time in his career.

"I always hear we have strength in depth in the goalkeeper position in the German team.

"But out of those players, who has unreservedly proven to be the number one goalkeeper? To be able to withstand the pressure in the long-term?

"Who has player on an internationals stage for many years and has the necessary experience?

"We are talking here about a European Championships.

"There are plenty of goalkeepers behind Lehmann, like Robert Enke or Timo Hildebrand, but who is the undisputed first choice if Lehmann is injured? No one."

German head coach Joachim Loew has also offered his support to Lehman.

"Jens has great qualities. He is of course a leader in the team and he has shown in the past that he deals well with pressure," Loew told Saturday's Berliner Zeitung newspaper.

"Against England (in a friendly in August) and Ireland (in a Euro 2008 qualifier in October), he was impressive. We couldn't have asked any more of him even though he wasn't starting for his club.

"We're counting on Jens Lehmann, he's our number one goalkeeper and he showed that during the international matches."

Lehman faces stiff competition for the number one jersey with Valencia 'keeper Timo Hildebrand and Hanover's Robert Enke.

Lehman has vowed to stay at Arsenal and fight for his place for the sake of his family, but he has been linked with Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg.

23-12-2007, 12:00 AM	#25 (permalink)
Vargas_4 #4 Phenomenon Favourite Team: Bayern München Vargas_4 is Online Mood: Join Date: May 2007 Location: Managua Posts: 2,922 vCash: 385 Rep: Rep Points: 1030 Country:	Ballack Backs Lehman As German No 1 Out of favour Arsenal keeper Jens Lehman has been backed by Germany captain Michael Ballack to maintain the national team number one jersey ahead of Euro 2008. Manuel Almunia has replaced the 38 year old keeper between the posts at the Emirates this season. Lehman’s lack of first-team experience has caused concern in Germany, who are amongst the favourites to win the tournament. Despite this Ballack feels that the experienced keeper is still the best in the land. "For me, there is simply no discussion about who should be Germany's goalkeeper," Ballack told German tabloid Bild. "Jens is the best we have by some distance. "I am convinced of his mental strength and his physical fitness. I don't believe it is a problem for the team, even if he doesn't play regularly with Arsenal. "Jens is a 38-year-old, he has collected enough playing time in his career. "I always hear we have strength in depth in the goalkeeper position in the German team. "But out of those players, who has unreservedly proven to be the number one goalkeeper? To be able to withstand the pressure in the long-term? "Who has player on an internationals stage for many years and has the necessary experience? "We are talking here about a European Championships. "There are plenty of goalkeepers behind Lehmann, like Robert Enke or Timo Hildebrand, but who is the undisputed first choice if Lehmann is injured? No one." German head coach Joachim Loew has also offered his support to Lehman. "Jens has great qualities. He is of course a leader in the team and he has shown in the past that he deals well with pressure," Loew told Saturday's Berliner Zeitung newspaper. "Against England (in a friendly in August) and Ireland (in a Euro 2008 qualifier in October), he was impressive. We couldn't have asked any more of him even though he wasn't starting for his club. "We're counting on Jens Lehmann, he's our number one goalkeeper and he showed that during the international matches." Lehman faces stiff competition for the number one jersey with Valencia 'keeper Timo Hildebrand and Hanover's Robert Enke. Lehman has vowed to stay at Arsenal and fight for his place for the sake of his family, but he has been linked with Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg.