The Andersson story at 1. FC Köln allows some room for speculation, as can be seen from the various comments.
He came to FC having previously had (slight?) problems with his knee. Then there are the rumors of a training foul at FC, which allegedly seriously affected his problem knee.
However, his performance was not only insufficient from then on at FC, one could say that on good days he reached first division level.
The timing of his surgery at the end of the summer transfer window leaves questions:
maybe he agreed to the club’s request and initially wanted to change? He also failed the medical check in Gothenburg(?) 2022.
Did he look at being able to sit out his thick contract with FC in order to be as fit as possible for the time afterwards? When moving to FC, he, who had just turned 29, made the decisive decision based on the biggest salary offer. OP then 2022 at the start of the season, regeneration up to 6 months before the end of the contract instead of risky professional assignments. However, the situation was apparently so bad that the entire last year of the contract fell through. What is also noticeable: the voices of those responsible for FC do not exactly sound like encouragement and fingers crossed for Andersson, and they will be informed about the exact circumstances.
Ultimately, one does not know which interests were the drivers. It was definitely a letdown for FC, where the club took far too many risks from the start. Andersson, never free from health doubts, has always been the most expensive striker in the squad, more expensive than Modeste e.g. B.. The club should never have made the transfer under these conditions.
I think all sides are relieved when the contract period ends.
Ultimately, no one can judge Andersson’s health. As you say there is a lot of speculation but I think the player cares a lot about being fit. I don’t think it was a calculation on his part that things don’t get better after the operation and that he can continue to earn good money. One mustn’t forget that after (I think) 6 weeks of injury, the health insurance will pay for the salary. Ie he sits the FC no longer on the bag. Of course you are frustrated, as you can read in many comments here. Everyone expected more. But Baumgart’s statements sound very cool and although he denies it, it really sounds as if Andersson is being accused a bit of being injured or having had an operation.
I begrudge the player that he gets fit again and can play at a high level for a few more years. It is clear that, realistically, this will no longer happen in Cologne. Therefore, the frustration is understandable somewhere, because you have wasted a lot of money. However, he is still a player from the club. I think 100% backing would look different.