Vitaly Janelt gets Germany chance 10 years after DFB controversy

Brentford midfielder Vitaly Janelt has reflected on the controversy that derailed his international prospects a decade ago after receiving another opportunity to push for a place with Germany.

Janelt has been included on Jurgen Klopp’s extended Germany list during the international break, potentially opening the door to senior international football after years away from the national setup.

The 28-year-old has established himself in the Premier League with Brentford, but his last significant involvement with Germany ended badly when he was still an Under-19 player at RB Leipzig.

Ten years later, Janelt believes he has grown considerably and views his latest opportunity as potentially one of his final chances to reach a major international tournament.

The incident occurred while Germany’s Under-19s were competing in European Championship qualifiers in Albania.

Janelt and teammate Idrissa Toure were caught using a shisha pipe in their hotel room. Smoke was subsequently discovered by a hotel employee while the players were at training, prompting the alarm to be raised.

The German Football Association responded by sending both players home. Under-19 coach Frank Kramer said at the time that the situation had left the national team with no alternative.

Janelt has not returned to the Germany picture since, despite subsequently building a Premier League career at Brentford.

Speaking to Sky Germany following his latest opportunity, he acknowledged how much his life has changed.

“At the end of the day, I’m ten years older now than I was back then, and I have a young daughter,” Janelt said.

“Everyone grows up eventually. I don’t really need to say much about it.”

The midfielder believes the important thing was learning from the mistake rather than allowing it to continue defining his career.

“Everyone has to learn their lessons from it. I realised that quickly and am happy about it. What’s done is done.”

Janelt’s years at Brentford have provided the platform for his return to consideration with Germany.

He now recognises the significance of the opportunity, particularly at 28 and with the number of major international tournaments available to him becoming more limited.

“This is one of the last chances for me to take part in a major tournament or two,” he said.

Being included on an extended list does not guarantee Janelt a place in Klopp’s final plans, but after a decade away from the international picture, it gives the Brentford midfielder another opportunity to make his case.

Janelt must now turn his inclusion in Germany’s extended group into a place in Klopp’s competitive plans.

His Premier League experience with Brentford gives him a strong platform, but the midfielder recognises that time is increasingly important if he wants to experience a major international tournament.

For Janelt, the significance extends beyond simply earning another call-up. A decade after his Germany career appeared to have stalled at youth level, he finally has an opportunity to ensure the story of his international career is defined by what comes next rather than what happened when he was a teenager.