According to Sebastian Kehl, Niklas Süle “understood” the Flick criticism

Niklas Süle is said to be working harder than ever after criticism from national coach Hansi Flick at Borussia Dortmund.

“He did a lot more on vacation than everyone else because he wanted to prepare better and more intensively for the season,” said BVB sports director Sebastian Kehl on Friday. “If he stays healthy and works on his issues, he will get much, much better.”

Flick had not nominated Süle for the most recent international matches and said in a FAZ interview that the central defender was not exploiting his potential. “We’ve known Niklas for over a year, I think he’ll show a reaction,” said Kehl. “He understood that. He likes being a national player, he knows that he has to perform well for us.”

The national team will meet again in September, with international matches against Japan (9 September, Wolfsburg) and World Cup runners-up France (12 September, Dortmund) on the agenda.