A new season always means new players in the Bundesliga. But which newcomers can fans expect the most from?
Sadio Mane (Bayern)
FC Bayern is likely to have made the top transfer this year. With Sadio Mane the record champions have signed one of the biggest names in European football at the moment. Munich have around 40 million euros for the 30-year-old attacker Liverpool FC transferred. “Sadio Mané is a perfect match for the football that FC Bayern play under Julian Nagelsmann”says FCB sports director Hasan Salihamidzic.
Bayern Munich’s Sadio Mané in the Supercup against RB Leipzig.
At best, Mané should be an adequate replacement for the Barcelona FC emigrated Robert Lewandowski. The lightning-fast and dribbling Senegalese last played for a total of eight years in the premier league for the Southampton F.C and Liverpool (six years). With the “Reds” Under coach Jürgen Klopp he became Champions League– Winners, English champions and cup winners. Mané has netted 111 goals in 262 Premier League games in England. That year he won the African Cup with Senegal.
In his first competitive game with Bayern, the Supercup against RB Leipzig (5: 3), Mané scored straight away. “He’s a humble, down-to-earth and outstanding player”says coach Nagelsmann about his new offensive player.
Mario Goetze (Eintracht Frankfurt)
who Mario Götze hasn’t seen it in a while, he might rub his eyes in amazement. The 30-year-old looks fitter than ever in the new Frankfurt Eintracht jersey – and somehow seems to have grown. Not physically, of course, that should hardly be possible at this advanced age. But his recent appearance in the DFB Cup game at FC Magdeburg (4-0) showed that he could indeed take on the leadership role that they expect from him in Frankfurt. Something that was hard to imagine just a few years ago when he was oscillating between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.
Eintracht Frankfurt’s Mario Götze during the DFB Cup match against 1. FC Magdeburg.
His two years at the PSV Eindhoven under the German coach Roger Schmidt recently have apparently allowed him to mature at a rapid pace. In any case, there was never any doubt about his extraordinary footballing skills. In the Netherlands, where the media attention of professional football is not comparable to that in Germany, Götze also seems to have freed himself from mental constraints.
His metabolic disorder, which he made public in 2017, no longer seems to impede him. His move to the Main? “It was a good decision for me, the complete package was simply good”says Götze, who has apparently rediscovered his passion for football.
Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund)
Whether he would cheer a hit before the south curve with a somersault, that can Karim Adeyemi not easy to answer. “I would have to ask Edin Terzic how he sees it first.”, says the new attacker from Borussia Dortmund. The respect for his new coach at BVB is obviously great. Adeyemi can still be self-confident. The 20-year-old offensive player finally switched from RB Salzburg to BVB as top scorer (19 goals) in the Austrian league. “His speed and goal threat are impressive and although Karim is already very far in terms of football and athletics at just 20 years old, we see enormous potential for development in him.”says sports director Sebastian Kehl.
Borussia Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi celebrating the 0:3 during the DFB Cup match against TSV Munich 1860.
Adeyemi is one of the factors that should make Erling Haaland forget at BVB. Adeyemi, who was born in Munich, is not yet as advanced in football as the Norwegian. But he is also aiming to use his strengths in front of the opposing goal as best as possible, like his predecessor. “My father always said that everything that goes on goal might also go in”, says Adeyemi. That this (striker) theory can pay off was shown in BVB’s DFB Cup match at 1860 Munich, when Adeyemi scored the final score to make it 3-0 with a “little shot” that the lion goalkeeper let slip through. The longer Adeyemi will play for Dortmund, the more it will become one Win win-Situation for the club and for the player.
Adam Hlozek (Bayer Leverkusen)
A bargain is Adam Hlozek not exactly: Bayer 04 Leverkusen are said to have paid around 22 million euros for the services of the Czech international. The attacker is just 20 years old. But: Hlozek is also one of the promising talents that currently exist in European football – and thus fits almost perfectly into the Werkself’s tried and tested transfer policy. Hlozek made his debut in the Czech league at the age of 16, scoring a total of 34 goals in 105 appearances. Together with his compatriot and goalscorer Patrik Schick, Hlozek should now pose unsolvable problems for the opposing defenses.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Adam Hlozek.
“His versatility, power and, above all, his final strength will give our offensive game further possibilities for variation”says Bayer sporting director Simon Rolfes. “Adam Hlozek is a player who can develop a great goal threat as a hanging striker from a central position and also coming from the wing.”
In the embarrassment at third division Elversberg in the 1st round of the DFB Cup (3:4), Hlozek scored to make it 1:1. But even he could not prevent bankruptcy. “He graduated well, is determined and robust. He realizes that things are more intense with us and needs some more time, but he is definitely a promise for the future.”said Bayer coach Gerardo Seoane recently.
Jordan Siebatcheu (Union Berlin)
Once could Jordan Siebatcheu already show his special gesture in a competitive game. Whenever the 26-year-old scores a goal, he puts his outstretched index fingers together, which symbolizes the togetherness of friends and family. In the DFB Cup against the regional league team Chemnitzer FC, the newcomer from Union Berlin scored a spectacular and particularly important goal with a side kick to make it 1-1 from behind – and he saved his team from embarrassment (final score: 2-1 aet).
Union Berlin’s Jordan Siebatcheu during the DFB Cup match against Chemnitzer FC.
The Berliners have six million euros for Siebatcheu at the Swiss first division team young boys Bern transferred – and they received the top scorer in the Super League (22 goals). The US national player with Franco-Cameroonian roots should Nottingham Forest replace migrated Taiwo Awoniyi. However, the Nigerian’s last 20 Bundesliga goals are a major hurdle for Siebatcheu.
Communication with the 1.90 meter tall striker is still a bit complex at the moment. French is the language he speaks best as Siebatcheu grew up in France. His English is not perfect. Learning German is his next task. But: “He immediately asked for a German teacher”, reveals Union captain Christopher Trimmel. The integration process into the Union team is in full swing.