Believe in breakthrough at FC
After Tim Lemperle (21)’s contract was extended at 1. FC Köln, the 21-year-old striker was considered on loan. Several interested parties were reported. Coach Steffen Baumgart obviously does not see the step coming. “Tim didn’t extend to be loaned out in the summer,” the coach countered the speculation of the past few days.
Lemperle has “made a huge development and I assume that he will continue to make the breakthrough in the new season. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with him,” said the coach on Thursday at the press conference before the home game against Wolfsburg on Saturday (3:30 p.m.). As the newspaper “Express” recently reported, there are several people interested in loaning him Lemperle: The second division clubs Fortuna Düsseldorf and Greuther Fürth are said to have asked about the DFB junior, and there are also said to be inquiries from Belgium and the Netherlands.
#Baumgart About Tim Lemperle: “Tim didn’t extend to be loaned out in the summer. Tim has made a huge development and I assume that he will continue to break through in the new season. I look forward to continuing to work with him.”
— 1. FC Cologne (@fckoeln) February 23, 2023
Cologne’s managing director Christian Keller had spoken of “various areas of development” when Lemperle was extended, which would still stand in the way of the young professional for the “final breakthrough to become a Bundesliga player”. Lemperle himself had put the possibility of a loan into the room. He said he wanted to prove himself at FC in the Oberhaus, “even if I might have to take an intermediate step in the summer”.
Baumgart plans remaining season in Cologne without injured Uth
Striker Mark Uth (31), who had not played for FC since October and after an operation, also extended his contract a few weeks ago. Baumgart dampened expectations for a return this season. He said: “I’m not planning Mark Uth for the rest of the season so that he has enough time to recover without pressure.” However, the coach did not rule out a return for the last games of the season.
Horn and Hector in the 300 club: Most appearances for 1. FC Köln
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