Robert Enke thread ~ Wants to be the number one

[Vargas_4]

Hannover goalkeeper Robert Enke has revealed that he wants to become the number one keeper for the national team despite the challenge from youngsters Manuel Neuer and Rene Adler.

The future of current German international keeper Jens Lehmann remains unclear, but should the new Stuttgart keeper decide to call it a day on his international career to concentrate on his club, then Enke is keen to step into the breach.

The 30 year old Hannover custodian was one of the two back-up keepers at Euro 2008 alongside Rene Adler but is keen on becoming the undisputed number one should Lehmann retire from the international scene.

"At the end of the day, consistently good performances should make the difference and that makes me optimistic" Enke told Kicker magazine.

"I am confident and do not feel I am just a short-term solution. My best years lie ahead of me."

Despite rather disappointing spells abroad with Barcelona and Benfica, Enke has impressed since his transfer to Bundesliga side Hannover in 2004.

He is now hoping that Bundestrainer Joachim Löw plumps for experience between the posts rather than the two highly promising young goalkeeping talents in Schalke’s Manuel Neuer or Leverkusen’s Rene Adler.

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Goal.com - Germany - Enke: I Want To Be Germany’s Number One

[Trim]

If it's not going to be Adler (it should be ffs!), I'd rather see him as no.1 ahead of anyone else.

On a sidenote, it sucks that our current top goalkeepers don't play in European competitions.. speaking of Enke, Adler, etc. Club experience in those competitions is very valuable.

[Vargas_4]

Might prove to be a boost for Rensing, don't you think?

If he can actually give a good & solid performance during the next two seasons, i'm sure he'll be considered for the 2010 WC.

[__-SNAKE-__]

Enke? Imo It should be Timo.

[Vargas_4]

Timo's got a long way to go.

He'll have to have a good campaign with Valencia. They're playing in the UEFA Cup, since they won La Copa del Rey... Should get him some spotlight.

[RunX]

Hmmmmm .... I Think Low Should See Him In The Bundesliga This Season and to decide if he can be number 1 or no .

[RunX]

Enke Ready To Step Up

German keeper Robert Enke admits that he is feeling the nerves ahead of his first competitive start for his country, but is convinced that he will be able to convert it into positive energy come kick-off.

The Hannover 96 shotstopper has been entrusted with the gloves following Jen Lehmann's retirement from the international scene and likely also as result of Rene Adler's injury.

"I think it has a higher meaning playing a qualifier and not a friendly, but I am not nervous," said Enke ahead of the first qualifier against Liechtenstein on Saturday.

"Of course there will be a bit of tension but that will be gone as soon as the whistle blows.

"If Rene (Adler)had not been injured, I don't know if I would have played or not," he went on to admit.

"You can never be certain of a position, but if you remain 100% concentrated and don't weaken, then the chances are the coach will decide no changes are necessary.

"This is only the first small step and my performance has got to be right.

"We have time to get to know each other and we make progress with each training session," added Enke, who can expect to get the nod against Finland as well on Wednesday.

"There will be situations when I have got to be there.

"I have got to concentrate and it would be wrong to do any different against these sides than against bigger nations."

Germany will be missing several key men for the start of the qualification campaign, with Michael Ballack, Torsten Frings, Per Mertesacker and Arne Friedrich all unavailable due to injury.

Goal.com - World Cup - Enke Ready To Step Up