by Oliver Trust
BERLIN, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Timo Werner and Julian Draxler stand as prominent examples of how paramount the value of a World Cup participation is for footballers.
Both German strikers consider leaving their clubs Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain this summer to secure their place in the German squad for the Qatar tournament.
National coach Hansi Flick demanded solid fitness and called regular playing time a must to be selected this Tuesday evening in advance of the country's friendly against the Netherlands in Amsterdam.
The German coach said that if additional efforts in training don't turn around things, other options must be considered. "It's up to every single player to take a look at his situation. It's his responsibility," the 2020 Bayern treble winner added.
In the case of Werner and Draxler, sacrifices might have to be made as both admitted to meanwhile feel comfortable with their private life in London and Paris.
In their well-equipped club teams, they both lost ground and slipped back to replacements.
After joining the Blues in 2020, Werner often talked about his effort to get used to the traffic in London and the size of the city after moving in from Stuttgart.
The 26-year-old is always taking off early and "gives it 20 minutes on top" to attend the training sessions of the 2021 Champions League winner in time.
One is getting used to packed roads, he said and added, he is meanwhile feeling comfortable with the city's nice spots.
Draxler's reports about daily life in Paris pretty much sound as enthusiastic.
The 28-year-old several times had to accept a second-row position in the squad due to a fine selection of stars such as Neymar Junior, Kylian Mbappe, and Lionel Messi.
Draxler repeated, Paris is his favorite spot and he intends to take up the competition.
With only eight months to go until the 2022 World Cup's kick-off, things have changed for both.
Leaving what you fancy to get on has become an unpleasant option.
Werner only made 14 of his club's Premier League games. Draxler has only four more in Paris.
"I am lacking games and the needed competition rhythm," Draxler admitted. He called his situation far from an easy one.
While the former Schalke striker is not only facing competition in his club but the German team in his position, could Werner benefit from the striker shortages in the German team.
So far, Flick is hoping Werner can benefit from his upswing in the German team as he scored six goals in the national coach's first eight games.
As Werner achieved his success against second-class opponents, the upcoming games against the Netherlands and in the Nations League against Italy and England might deliver further answers.
Flick said, he is trying to provide a motivating atmosphere at the national team but admitted to meeting his borders if things in the clubs don't develop as expected.
The German coach said he is keeping in close contact with the club coaches to be updated about possible progress. As it seems, Werner and Draxler not only have to fight to gain ground in their clubs but to stay in the city they feel comfortable with. ■
