With Ragnar Ache and Isak Johannesson, the 1. FC Köln has so far presented two new additions. These players are also traded in the Bundesliga promoted.
It was a promising start that 1. FC Köln put in this transfer summer. Two of the most sought -after players in the 2nd Bundesliga joined the billy goats. “With Ragnar Ache we made a strong commitment, there is practically nothing comparable to its quality as part of our budget,” says Vice President Carsten Carsten Wettich in an interview with the “Geissblog” and also praises the purchase of Düsseldorf’s Isak Johannesson: “Both are exactly what we are looking for.”
What Wettich says: “Players with great development potential who now want to take the next step with us.” But what are the next steps of Cologne squad planners? Since Johanneson’s obligation on June 1st, further enforcement report has been long in coming. “There is still a lot to do until the beginning of the new season,” emphasizes Wettich and is at the same time “convinced that we are on the right track”.
Which players are currently under discussion at 1. FC Köln? In which positions are those responsible for sports director Thomas Kessler look? An overview:
Since two goalkeepers went with Philipp Pentke and Anthony Racioppi, FC needs both a new number two and a number behind regular keeper Marvin Schwäbe. The Dane Jonathan Fischer (23, Fredrikstad FK) is in conversation as the Swabian deputy, and number three could also come from his own offspring.
In the left-back position, a lot hangs on Max Finkgräfe, to which a change of change is said to be. If the 20-year-old actually goes, a different youngster could come with Aaron Tenth (20, SC Paderborn). The previous protégé of the new FC coach Lukas Kwasniok can be used flexibly on the left. With central defender Calvin Brackelmann (25, SC Paderborn), another ex-player Kwasnioks is traded in Cologne.
Other candidates for the center are Clemens Riedel (21, SV Darmstadt) and Terry Yegbe (24, IF Elfsborg), while other options have canceled: Bochums Bernardo prefers to join TSG Hoffenheim, ex-Herhaner Jordan Torunarigha (most recently Kaa Gent) should be at Hamburger SV. It will also be crucial for Cologne when looking for new central defenders whether Captain Timo Hüber’s remains. His contract expires in 2026, the 28-year-old is flirting with a change abroad.
Othniël Raterink, a Dutch talent that last played for the U19 of Bayer Leverkusen, is also associated with FC. According to information from the “Geissblog”, the 19-year-old, who is still bound to his home club de Graafschap Doetinchem in the long term, is to be borrowed for the Cologne U21. The right-back is not yet a candidate for the Bundesliga team.
The decisive piece of the puzzle in midfield is Eric Martel. The FC wants to extend with the captain of the U21 national team, will put everything in the balance financially. If Martel leaves the “goats”, sports director Kessler could try to return Salih Özcan (27, BVB). The six was switched from Cologne to Dortmund in 2022, but is also being encircled by Galatasaray and Besiktas Istanbul.
Other candidates for the midfield center are Tom Krauss (23, FSV Mainz 05), with which Kessler is said to have already exchanged, as well as the Swede Besfort Zeneli (22, IF Elfsborg) and the Frenchman Mahamadou Diawara (20, Olympique Lyon). As a flexible outdoor car player, Jakub Kaminski (23, VfL Wolfsburg) could come, who asked about the Cologne interest towards Polish media: “It is true that something is happening.”
Options for the attack, where the further need for action also depends on whether Damion Downs extends, are likely to be Rayan Philippe (24, Eintracht Braunschweig) and Lukas Nmecha (26, VfL Wolfsburg). According to Kaiserslautern’s 18-goal man Ache, another top-class striker is to be hired in any case.