In eighth place, one thing is already clear: 1. FC Köln will have nothing to do with the fight to stay up in the 2021/22 season. On the contrary: At the Geißbockheim, one even looks at the European stage. A challenge especially for the recently arrived sports director Christian Keller, who has to prepare the club for all eventualities.
Keller, who only took up his post at 1. FC Köln at the beginning of April, took up the planning without hesitation. This reports the “goat blog“. Accordingly, the talks with the staff on the lawn are already in full swing – and that seems to be necessary.
Numerous professionals from Cologne are only under contract until the summer of 2023, some even just a few months.
Among other things, Keller is currently discussing the future with Salih Özcan (contract until 2023) and Luca Kilian on loan (on loan from 1. FSV Mainz 05 until the summer). According to the report, Özcan should receive a new offer “promptly”, with Kilian it has to be decided whether to take the purchase option of the rumored two million euros.
Modeste will probably have to cut corners at 1. FC Köln
In order to keep the duo, one shouldn’t shy away from larger investments at Geißbockheim, since one assumes that one can cash in again later with 24-year-old Özcan and 22-year-old Kilian. However, the “Sport Bild” also links Özcan’s whereabouts to whether Effzeh makes the leap to Europe. In this case, it is said, the homegrown plant will “hardly leave” the cathedral city.
Participation in the Europa League or Conference League should also have a major impact on the future of top scorer Anthony Modeste (contract until 2023). According to “Sport Bild”, the old star is pushing for a decision. According to “Geissblog”, the veteran should not hope that his lavish salary will be maintained.
The portal also reports that some newcomers have already been made “perfect”. It remains unclear who it is, but one should look for at least five positions.