Leeds United defender Robin Koch last played for Germany over 18 months ago but their humiliating exit at the World Cup could offer him a potential lifeline.
Germany's defence in particular came under heavy criticism after Hansi Flick's side succumbed to back-to-back group stage exits for the first time in history.
Niklas Sule was shoehorned into a right-back position, which he has admittedly played in Borussia Dortmund, but looked nor impressive or comfortable in throughout the tournament.
Nico Schlotterbeck, a huge prospect when he earned a lucrative move to Borussia Dortmund back in the summer, also endured an awful experience in Qatar.
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2014 World Cup winner Mats Hummels, who was once an indispensable member of the national team, didn't even make it on the plane.
If Germany's defensive woes weren't already a problem before the World Cup, then their latest humiliation suggests that they are a glaring issue now.
Koch, meanwhile, has recovered from two catastrophic injuries that marred the majority of his first two seasons in England with Leeds.
The 26-year-old has started in each of Leeds' 14 Premier League games this term, and is beginning to showcase the type of form that prompted Leeds to spend a reported £13 million on him in 2020.
Koch has been capped eight times by Germany and was even included in their squad for Euro 2020, despite not featuring throughout the tournament.
He is clearly still in Flick's thoughts after he named in their provisional World Cup squad. And although he didn't make the final cut, Koch is an option that Flick could call upon, as he aims to restore Germany as a international footballing powerhouse, and rescue his own job.
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