Mario Gomez and Lukas Podolski have both joined Turkish clubs this summer, and both will look to sufficiently impress Germany coach Joachim Löw ahead of the upcoming European Championship in France. Gomez joined Besiktas from Fiorentina, while Podolski linked up with Galatasaray from Arsenal in an attempt to book a place in Germany's 23-man-strong squad next summer.
"The next season will be very important for me," said 30-year-old Gomez. "My goal is to play for Germany again and take part in the European Championship." Podolski, also 30 years old, explained: "When I'm fit, I can be an asset to a lot of teams around the world - that includes the Germany national team." But first, Podolski has to "get back into a regular match rhythm, which has been missing in recent months" during his unfortunate loan spell at Inter Milan. Gomez, who is looking to put two disappointing seasons in Italy's Serie A behind him, is also hoping to re-find his form in Turkey.
Podolski and "Gala" will begin their campaign on Saturday evening (21:00 CEST) away at Sivasspor. Gomez' first league game is on Sunday (21:00 CEST) alongside former Hoffenheim player Andreas Beck against Mersin Idman Yurdu. The season’s opening game took place on Friday, where Fenerbahce, led by coach Michael Skibbe, secured a 2-0 win over Eskisehirspor.
Löw believes in Gomez and Podolski
Germany coach Joachim Löw will keep a keen eye on what's going on in Turkey, as good strikers are hard to come by these days. "When Mario is completely fit and is playing regularly, he can be an asset to any team in the world and certainly for us as well, as he has proven so many times before," said Löw in an interview with DFB.de. Gomez, who has had many injury worries in recent years, made his last appearance for Die Mannschaft in September 2014 during a 4-2 defeat against Argentina.
World-Cup-winner Lukas Podolski, who has already won the Super Cup with his new club, was part of the squad in Germany's last two international games in June. "This will be a decisive year for him," said Löw.
Mario Gomez and Lukas Podolski have both joined Turkish clubs this summer, and both will look to sufficiently impress Germany coach Joachim Löw ahead of the upcoming European Championship in France. Gomez joined Besiktas from Fiorentina, while Podolski linked up with Galatasaray from Arsenal in an attempt to book a place in Germany's 23-man-strong squad next summer.
"The next season will be very important for me," said 30-year-old Gomez. "My goal is to play for Germany again and take part in the European Championship." Podolski, also 30 years old, explained: "When I'm fit, I can be an asset to a lot of teams around the world - that includes the Germany national team." But first, Podolski has to "get back into a regular match rhythm, which has been missing in recent months" during his unfortunate loan spell at Inter Milan. Gomez, who is looking to put two disappointing seasons in Italy's Serie A behind him, is also hoping to re-find his form in Turkey.
Podolski and "Gala" will begin their campaign on Saturday evening (21:00 CEST) away at Sivasspor. Gomez' first league game is on Sunday (21:00 CEST) alongside former Hoffenheim player Andreas Beck against Mersin Idman Yurdu. The season’s opening game took place on Friday, where Fenerbahce, led by coach Michael Skibbe, secured a 2-0 win over Eskisehirspor.
Löw believes in Gomez and Podolski
Germany coach Joachim Löw will keep a keen eye on what's going on in Turkey, as good strikers are hard to come by these days. "When Mario is completely fit and is playing regularly, he can be an asset to any team in the world and certainly for us as well, as he has proven so many times before," said Löw in an interview with DFB.de. Gomez, who has had many injury worries in recent years, made his last appearance for Die Mannschaft in September 2014 during a 4-2 defeat against Argentina.
World-Cup-winner Lukas Podolski, who has already won the Super Cup with his new club, was part of the squad in Germany's last two international games in June. "This will be a decisive year for him," said Löw.
