Finn Jeltsch: The World Cup winner who models his game after Matthijs de Ligt

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“Simply unbelievable,” Finn Jeltsch said when asked about 2023. The talented defender broke into Nürnberg’s first team and wrote history with the German U17 national team. First, the U17 won the European Championship in the summer and then the World Cup in December. Both finals were won after a penalty shootout against France.

“If I am being honest, I still haven’t quite come to terms with what we have achieved as a team,” Jeltsch said to Transfermarkt. “But I am sure that will come. Right now, I am just happy and proud about the team.” The 17-year-old was a key player at both tournaments and missed just one of the 13 games. The center-back received a rest in the final group stage game of the World Cup after Germany had already qualified for the knockout stage.

U17 head coach Christian Wück highlighted Jeltsch’s importance for his team. “He has prevented many, many goals,” Wück said. According to Wück, there has been a significant focus on the so-called German virtues but talents like Dortmund’s Paris Brunner and Jeltsch also highlight that the team still has class and individual strengths within the team. “The overall package as center-back at this age is outstanding,” Nürnberg’s sporting director Olaf Rebbe said in October after Jeltsch signed his first professional contract. “We are happy that Finn has decided to continue his path with the club.”

After signing his contract, Jeltsch said: “I have been with the club since the U10 and live just 30km away from [Nürnberg’s training center] at the Valznerweiher; it is an honor to make my first steps with a big traditional club.” The permeability from the academy to the first team is high, which is highlighted by the fact that several players have received a chance to play with the first team. The most recent examples are Can Uzun and Nathaniel Brown. Jeltsch, who can also play as a defensive midfielder, is still awaiting his first game with the first team. But he has been on the bench on three occasions.

Ahead of the World Cup, Jeltsch led the U19 in ten games (one win) as the captain on the pitch. Whether he will still play with the U19 after the winter break or be permanently promoted to the first team remains to be seen. “I want to improve every single day, give everything, and through practice sessions and games fight for not just a spot with the first team but also playing time,” the 186cm tall defensive player said about his short-term goals. As for long-term goals? “I want to give everything to play at the highest possible level,” Jeltsch said. “To play in the Premier League and the Champions League would be a dream come true.”

One player Jeltsch always watches is Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt. “He is a player who I always watch,” Jeltsch said. “I always try to copy one or two things from him. His physicality and the way he defends is something that I really like.” In October, Jeltsch received a starting market value of €500,000, and his market value was increased to €1 million as part of the recent 2. Bundesliga update. That makes him not just one of the most valuable German players born in 2006 but only one of 12 players with a market value in that age category.

From December 1 to 24, we introduce new players from different countries born in 2006 and 2007. Area managers, users, and data scouts come into play as experts throughout the series. You can follow all those players by adding them to your TM watchlist.