Following his summer arrival at PSG from Schalke, Thilo Kehrer became a full Germany international. Now, he has the chance to face his host nation when he pulls on Die Mannschaft’s shirt at the Stade de France.
After graduated from Schalke’s youth academy, Kehrer had to cross the Rhine river last summer, heading west to, ironically, get closer to the Germany set-up. The 22-year-old had amassed 33 youth internationals before moving to the Parc des Princes, but it was only after turning out for PSG that the versatile defender was given his full international bow by coach Joachim Löw. Now, Kehrer is set to cross Paris to line up against some PSG teammates when the two countries face off in Tuesday’s UEFA Nations League clash.
‘Thomas Tuchel convinced me’
Kehrer’s move to the French capital happened quickly. New coach Thomas Tuchel – a German – was au fait with the talent in his homeland and was decisive in persuading the defender to join his project in mid-August. “Thomas Tuchel convinced me and showed that he was very interested in working with me,” Kehrer explained to Goal and Spox at the time. “He wanted me help me progress, and that was the more important thing for me. I also settled quickly as I grew up in a French-speaking family so integrating was no problem.”
French-speaking Kehrer (l.) has settled quickly in Paris
Kehrer did not get off to the best possible start in Paris, however. He started right of a back three in the Week 3 clash with Angers SCO. Although the champions went on to win 3-1, Kehrer had given them an uphill struggle, conceding the penalty that made it 1-1 before being subbed off at half-time with Tuchel changing his system. A difficult debut did not stop Löw giving Kehrer his first Germany call four days later. Seen as part of a new generation of talent following Germany’s group stage exit at the FIFA World Cup in Russia over the summer, Kehrer would have a role to play. He played 18 minutes at right-back in a 2-1 friendly win over Peru in September before returning to Paris, where he has continued to grow.
Growing in influence
The Baden-Württemberg native, born to a Burundian mother and German father, may not have had to adapt to a new language, but there were certain differences in his new environment that he had to digest. “The level of understanding of the players and their class is a step up from Schalke, and it is a steep learning curve for me,” he explained. “I see it every day in training and it’s great for me because I can progress.” Kehrer has now operated across the defence and even sitting in front of it. In the 3-0 win over OGC Nice in Week 8, Kehrer was once again right of a back three, but this time he boasted the second-best ball recovery in the game. Then, after replacing Presnel Kimpembe – a PSG teammate he could face on Tuesday – in defence after the centre-back’s sending off in the 5-0 win over Olympique Lyonnais last time out, Kehrer completed 26 of his 27 attempted passes, and won 80 percent of his challenges.
Watch: Highlights of PSG’s 5-0 win over Lyon!
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Kimpembe is just one of the PSG clubmates Kehrer could face on Tuesday, with the other, Kylian Mbappé, likely to pose a more clear and present danger. “As a player, he has exceptional abilities,” Kehrer enthused about his 19-year-old colleague. “But at the same time, he’s a down to earth guy and very funny.” Who will be having the last laugh when France face Germany in Paris could depend heavily on whether Löw decides to throw Kehrer in once again.
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