Jens Lehmann thread

[Vargas_4]

Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer says Jens Lehmann should not be Germany's first choice keeper at Euro 2008

German footballing legend Franz Beckenbauer has weighed in the discussion of the national team's goalkeeper by branding current first choice Jens Lehmann a liability.

Der Kaiser, who lifted the world cup with Germany as both a player and a manager, says the Arsenal goalkeeper cannot be considered as first choice for Euro 2008 while he continues to sit on the bench every week.

Having fallen out of favour the Emirates, the former Borussia Dortmund and Schalke man is now only used for occasional cup matches as Gunners boss Arsene Wenger sticks with Manuel Almunia.

Too Risky

That, insists Beckenbauer, is not good enough for Germany.

"If Lehmann makes a mistake everyone will be saying 'why was he allowed to play?'" he said while at a Uefa summit in Zagreb. "It's not a nice situation and it carries a certain amount of risk."

In With A Shout

As for the nation's chances at Euro 2008, Beckenbauer grouped Germany in what he termed a "small group of favourites."

[puff-puff]

finally, at least he has some common sense

[Vargas_4]

True.

Lehmann is shit.

But in the other hand, Hilderbrand has been terrible Maybe get Enke, Adler or Weise, the thing that will get them in the squad is to greatly improve during the season.

[puff-puff]

Can't stand Hildebrand, that arrogant pr*ck! Lehmann is, huh, mistake-prone Wiese, on the other hand, has pretty much experience, though not in national team...

[Trim]

Kaiser is right. Lehmann shouldn't be no.1 at the Euro.

Adler for no.1! Damn, when will this happen?

[Dragoen]

After the EC. Löw won't introduce a new goalkeeper so shortly before such a big tournament. But I still hope for Enke as gk 1 at the EC.

[Trim]

Joachim Low was underwhelmed by his side's 3-0 win over Austria and admitted to concerns over the performance of goalkeeper Jens Lehmann.

Low opted to start the Arsenal man - even though he has barely figured for the Gunners this season - but the move almost backfired as Lehmann produced an error-ridden display.

His first mistake was to charge 30 yards from goal only to lose out to Austria forward Martin Harnik. Roland Linz's resulting shot was cleared off the line by Per Mertesacker.

"The pitch was slippery in some areas, but in that part it was firm," Lehmann explained.

He also had an explanation as to why he missed several high balls, one of which was headed against the bar by Emanuel Pogatetz.

"The opponents were very tall," he said. "Austria were very dangerous from set-pieces."

Low was not impressed by Lehmann's display.

"He is normally one who plays well with the team," said Low, who now faces more questioning over who starts in goal in the build-up to Euro 2008.

Source

[Trim]

German keeper Jens Lehmann has received support from an unlikely source as the debate as to the nations first choice keeper hots-up. Bayern legend Oliver Kahn has lent his backing to the under-fire keeper.

It looks likely that Lehmann will start for Germany tonight in their friendly with Switzerland which will be a chance for him to prove he is fit and motivated despite being demoted to second choice at Arsenal.

Despite a disagreement between the pair prior to the 2006 World Cup and an ensuing feud, Kahn has lent his backing to Lehmann ahead of the European Championships.

"I see no reason to make changes" Kahn said. "We don't have to worry at all about this position.

"Jens knows the situation and the pressure and he can deal with it very well and with a good game, everything will calm down."

Lehmann will certainly feel under pressure with German second choice Timo Hildebrand enjoying a fine run of form at Valencia having replaced Santiago Canizares as the number one. There is also the challenge posed by youngsters Rene Adler and Manuel Neuer from Leverkusen and Schalke.

German trainer Joachim Löw however is convinced Lehmann is the right man for the job.

"We have no reason to have any doubts in Jens, even if he was not so good in Austria.

"He made some excellent saves during the European Championship qualifiers and he will do so again tonight" Löw said.

Goal.com - Germany - Kahn Backs Lehmann As Number One

[Trim]

Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack has tipped Arsenal 'keeper Jens Lehmann to retain his place in the Germany squad heading into this summer's Euro 2008...

The veteran goalkeeper is out of favour at the Emirates, with Manuel Almunia now occupying the number one slot at the Gunners.

As such there have been rumours that Lehmann could lose his place in the German national side due to a lack of first-team action, but Ballack disputes that this should be the case.

He told Bild, "It is of course tough if you don’t play for your club.

"But Jens has shown that he is the right man to keep goal.

"I believe there will be no more talk about it in the lead up to the championships."

Indeed, Lehmann started in the midweek friendly against co-hosts Switzerland, helping the Nationalelf to a 4-0 win and maintaining a clean-sheet record of 621 minutes in the process.

Thus it seems that the likes of Rene Adler, Manuel Neuer and Timo Hildebrand will need to wait longer for a slot in Joachim Löw's side.

Goal.com - Germany - Ballack: Keep Lehmann In Goal

[Vargas_4]

Wow. Lehmann is really getting a lot of support, even from Kahn!

This is interesting. Should we trust him too to have him in goal for Germany?

[Oliver_Kahn]

Well Lehmann did well vs Switzerland, made one great save. And I don't think Jogi is going to change his mind, so...

[Vargas_4]

German national team trainer Joachim Löw has confirmed that Jens Lehmann is still his number one choice in goal ahead of this summer’s European Championships.

Despite being relegated to second-choice behind Manuel Almunia at Arsenal, Lehmann continues to enjoy the confidence of the Bundestrainer and was selected ahead of Timo Hildebrand and Robert Enke for last week’s friendly win over Switzerland.

In an interview with ‘Kicker’ Löw revealed he had nothing but praise for the 38 year old keeper.

"He still showed an extreme level of calmness, maintained his concentration and directed the defence" said Low.

"He has a good physical condition, is quick and confident - but nobody has a guaranteed berth."

Between now and May, when the final squad is announced, Löw and goalkeeping coach Andreas Köpke will have their eyes on five keepers with Manuel Neuer and Rene Adler the two other outside bets for a place in the squad.

Löw also confirmed that he would be taking five strikers to the finals tournament with Bayer Leverkusen youngster Stefan Kießling tipped to join Miroslav Klose, Mario Gomez, Kevin Kuranyi and Lukas Podolski.

"He can also play on the wing at Leverkusen and he has proven himself" he explained.

"I am happy that all my strikers are efficient at the moment."

Meanwhile, Schalke defender Heiko Westermann has boosted his chances of earning a place in the final selection following an impressive game against the Swiss last week, and his versatility - Westermann has played across the whole of Schalke's backline this season - further strengthens his claim.

"It is important to have one or two players who can play in many positions" said Low.

"Westermann can play at left or right full-back as well as in the middle."

Löw will reveal his final 23 in May before the ‘Nationalelf’ face two further friendlies with Belarus and Serbia.

***

Goal.com - Germany - Löw Confirms Lehmann As Number One

[Trim]

Yeah, this case is closed, his starting spot is safe.

[__-SNAKE-__]

I also think that Adler should be in the NT the number 1 should be between Hildebrand and Adler, no one else, we all saw how good Adler is when he played against Bayern. Neuer is too unpredictable just like Lehmann.

__-SNAKE-__