Benda targeting Germany call-up after impressive season in Swindon colours

STEVEN BENDA believes he is almost ready for a call-up to the Germany Under-23 National side and admits his consistent game time at the County Ground this season has helped his chances of getting a first appearance for the national outfit. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker spoke to the Swindon Town goalkeeper yesterday.

At the age of 21, Steven Benda has been a constant presence between the sticks for Swindon Town this season, but the on-loan Swansea keeper is yet to receive an International call-up to his home nation Germany. 

After impressing in Robins colours this season, Benda has cemented his place as Richie Wellens’ number one and having been tipped to go all the way to the top of the English Football pyramid, Benda is now targeting his shot on the International stage. 

“My agent was actually speaking to the Germany national team earlier,” said Benda.

“They told him I need to keep getting constant game time and that’s what I’m doing. 

“Obviously this season I have had that and I want to keep getting more game time. 

“I want to keep improving and eventually I think I will get my chance in the under-23s team,” he said. 

Born in Stuttgart, Germany, Benda moved to England in 2017 where he joined the Swansea Under-23 team, staying there until the start of this season when he moved to SN1 on a season-long loan deal. 

The original intentions of the STFC management staff were that Benda would provide back-up to the experienced Luke McCormick. However, a string of impressive performances saw the youthful shot-stopper establish himself as the club’s number one. 

But despite excelling at Swindon, Benda explained that competition for places in the Germany side is extremely high. 

“Yes the competition is definitely very tough,” said Benda. 

“Obviously Germany is known for having great goalkeepers at all levels. 

“In the under-23s team and the first-team, there are obviously many very good goalkeepers. 

“They have keepers who play in the Bundesliga and leagues like that,” he said. 

“I don’t think [I need to be playing at a higher level to get recognised].

“It’s all about getting consistent game time. 

“It doesn’t matter if you’re playing at League One, League Two, or Championship level,” said Benda. 

During his short time at Swindon, Benda has impressed fans with both his confidence and ball-playing abilities. 

Something that Benda said is down to fellow countryman Manuel Neuer, whom he gives credit to for introducing a new goalkeeping style to German football. 

“I think it was Manuel Neuer who really introduced that style,” stated Benda. 

“Before that Oliver Kahn and the likes weren’t really playing like that. 

“I think Neuer started it and then onwards the goalkeepers were trying to play like that,” he said.