Eintracht Frankfurt: Krösche believes Koch & Pacho will stay

Long-running duo

Eintracht Frankfurt underwent a major personnel change last summer with 16 additions and 15 departures. This has been particularly successful in defense so far; only FC Bayern, RB Leipzig and Bayer 04 Leverkusen have conceded fewer goals in the Bundesliga. For sports director Markus Krösche, planning for next season is already starting, especially with a view to the two central defenders Robin Koch and Willian Pacho.

Koch is on loan from Leeds United until the end of the season, but after that he no longer has a working document with the “Whites”. Unlike in Germany, for example, loans are allowed in the last year of a contract in England. The 27-year-old himself had recently emphasized that he could imagine staying in the Main metropolis for a longer period of time. And Krösche also said at “Sports1“: “We are confident about that. I think the transfer was the right step for both sides. We were able to convince Robin of our club so much that he chose us. With his experience he gives us the stability we need. Robin’s experience helps Tuta and Willian. I am confident that we will have a lot of fun with Robin for many years to come.”

Koch was on the field for the full distance in every competitive game this season and scored two goals in the Europa Conference League. Despite good performances, he was not nominated for the DFB team by new national coach Julian Nagelsmann; his last international match was in June 2021. “I believe that Robin is one of the best central defenders we currently have in Germany. That’s why for me he belongs in the national team,” said Krösche.

Like Koch, Pacho is also in the SGE defense and only recently got a break in the Europa League. The duo are among only nine outfield players who have played every Bundesliga minute so far. The Ecuadorian, who came from Royal Antwerp for €9 million before the season, increased his market value to €17 million in the last update.

Due to the steep development, reports have recently emerged that Eintracht is already preparing to bid for next summer and would not rule out a sale after just twelve months. Krösche countered this: “Pacho is certainly making good development. But our plan is for him to stay with us longer. We have undergone a major upheaval. Now the boys should develop gradually. He immediately became a top performer. But he still has issues he can work on.”

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