Berger, Nüsken, Däbritz and Knaak – soon Brand and Hendrich: More and more players in the DFB contingent are playing abroad. A trend that is supposed to use the team, which also brings dangers to the Bundesliga.
After the last game of the season, Sjoeke Nüsken was able to celebrate the triple in a relaxed manner. When the midfielder of trainer Sonia Bombastor was sent to the field in added time of the FA Cup final against Manchester United (3-0), the game had long since run. Shortly after her substitution for Erin Cuthbert, it was over. After League Cup and championship, Chelsea’s women also won the big cup competition-and the 24-year-old Nüsken was once again in the middle of it.
“The three titles this season are my absolute highlight”, She also raves a month later. “Sure, now I want to continue to the Champions League; there are once in the final and win the title.”
The Wahl-Londoner Nüsken is representative of a new culture in the national team. More and more players are discovering abroad for their career. The USA and England, but Spain, France and Italy attract leagues, some of which develop rapidly. But what are the consequences? Does the national team benefit from it? Does this trend of the Bundesliga harm?
Künzer looks forward and disadvantages for the DFB
Nia Künzer has torn back and forth. “First of all, it is nice that the leagues have developed in Europe and the USA. This is always a good sign. And so I see it for the players. It is good for their personal development. They also bring other impressions and other perspectives. Everyone benefits from this”emphasizes the sports director, who has just extended her contract with the DFB.
As everywhere in life, it makes the mix.
However, there is another page: “Of course we have a great interest in the fact that our top players play in the German league. The faces help the league and the offspring to emulate idols.”
In other words, too many German players leave the Bundesliga, this should have a negative impact on their development.
Däbritz is happy about “various options”
Sara Däbritz is one of the pioneers in the team as a “legionnaire”. The 30-year-old, who is moving from Olympique Lyon to Real Madrid for the new season, and because of the former national goalkeeper Merle Frohms, has been playing abroad for six years now. At that time she signed her contract with Paris St. Germain.
“You now have different options. Others develop. We players want to use it and also gain experience elsewhere. That is just interesting”emphasizes Däbritz, who also continues to follow the Bundesliga. Play in the big stadiums, a higher audience cut and more teams that get involved in the fight for the front places: “These are things that also speak for the Bundesliga.“
Sara Däbritz played for Lyon from 2022 to 2025
Legionnaire share continues to grow
Nevertheless, the proportion of legionnaires among the DFB women continues to grow. In addition to Nüsken and Däbritz, Rebecca Knaak (Manchester City) and Ann-Katrin Berger (NJ/NY Gotham FC) were also under contract in the past season. In addition, four players who nominated national coach Christian Wück on call. On July 1, Jule Brand moved to Olympique Lyon. Kathrin Hendrich is drawn to the Chicago Stars.
“In my time it was the case that the German league was very attractive for us. Some have already played in Sweden or in the USA – Maren Meinert, Doris Fitschen”Künzer looks back. In the early 2000s, players (for a short time) moved to the USA again and again. “It already existed, but not yet as it is today.”
Bühl’s decision for the Bundesliga – first
Klara Bühl sees through players who kick abroad, “Added value for the team. You can find out completely different things and get to know a different culture. Perhaps a completely different tactic and game philosophy. If you notice how other nations tick, you can learn something from time to time.”
However, the offensive player will continue to do this at Bayern, who is known to have an international squad. The 24-year-old only extended her contract in Munich in March-and sees her decision confirmed by the team’s double profit. She wanted to “The flow” Use with which she contributed to the very successful FCB season.
The step abroad has already been busy, explains the ex-Freiburg woman. In particular, the rumored interest of FC Barcelona may have made her think. “It was a super exciting phase for me because I can basically imagine taking this step abroad”says Bühl and adds: “If I have the feeling that nothing throws me off the track, I will be successful abroad.”
Nüsken has not regretted her change abroad
Nüsken saw the time for the change for himself. “It was just time to take a new step. I wanted to get out of this comfort zone”reports the 1.73 meter woman who had played in Frankfurt for four years.
“Munich and Wolfsburg are of course also great clubs, but I wanted to do something completely different. And I think it helped me a lot that I was on my own”adds: “And who can say that you live in London and gain your own experience. It’s a great thing.”
Sjoeke Nüsken won the championship and both cup competitions with Chelsea last season
And who can say that in the strongest league in Europe with FC Chelsea may have won the triple. Stories like this should certainly help to make other German players plunge into adventure abroad in the future.