Central defender, six, ten – Christoph Kramer has already filled a number of positions at Borussia Mönchengladbach this season. The values of the all-rounder are amazing.
Last week Christoph Kramer had an appointment in his old home country. In Solingen there was a press event on the occasion of the renovation of the Jahn Stadium and it was announced: After the new roof, one of the grandstands will be named after Kramer. Touched, the 31-year-old indicated that he might end his career in his old hometown.
“I’m currently joking a lot with Kevin Kampl that we’ll definitely put on our football boots together again in Solingen. As is well known, fun often turns serious, so that’s maybe a little pointer,” said Kramer.
Which position? Exciting question before every game
Until then, however, Kramer will still be needed in Gladbach. And really. Because in the Borussia jersey he has transformed from a reliable “six” into a formidable all-round force. It’s a given that Kramer will be on the starting grid. For the 2014 world champion, however, it should be a surprise every week where the new Gladbach coach Daniel Farke positions him.
On matchday six in Freiburg, Christoph Kramer was still playing as a central defender, but against Leipzig the world champion suddenly found himself in the tenth position – a position he had never played in the Bundesliga. The calculation worked out perfectly, Kramer was constantly on the move, ran the most of all players and initiated many pressing situations.
“I come from the ten”
Job sharing on the soccer field – a problem for Kramer? “In fact, I originally came from ten, because I played in that position when I was young. I like slipping into new roles, I enjoy it. It’s always a new challenge, which is why I was happy to be further up the field this time to play,” explained Kramer.
In the unusual position, which he last held in the 2014 World Cup final, he reeled off a strong 12.7 kilometers. And this despite the fact that he said last week that he appreciates the somewhat lower intensity of running in central defence.
Back to six again?
“It was definitely a boomerang. What I wasn’t allowed to run against Freiburg, I did more against Leipzig. So you can say that it’s balanced now and I’m back on track,” joked Kramer.
However, it is by no means certain that he will again play as a ten against Werder Bremen. Coach Farke openly speculates that Kramer will be pushed further back to make room for Alassane Plea, who has recovered from injury, in the starting line-up. It is currently unthinkable that Kramer – as happened several times last season – will be rotated out of the eleven completely. After all, he’s apparently in the shape of his life.
Qatar in sight – as a TV expert or on the pitch
Kramer plays so strongly that he may have to cancel his planned job as a ZDF expert at the upcoming World Cup in Qatar. Because after six years of abstinence, he could even become an issue for the national team again. Doubts are currently growing about Bayern’s top dogs Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka – it could be Kramer’s chance to increase his previous twelve international matches at the World Cup.
Kramer himself seems ready. In any case, as a TV expert, he revealed on the sidelines of the Nations League game of the German team against Hungary that he only needed one jersey to be able to step in. “I have the football boots in the car,” he said with a grin.
