At Borussia Mönchengladbach, Jonas Hofmann has developed into a regular player and top performer over a long period of time. With the national team, he is well on the way there.
When Jonas Hofmann switched to Borussia Mönchengladbach six and a half years ago, the then sporting director Max Eberl already knew who he was getting. A young, quite talented player whose ability flashed here and there at his previous stations at Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund – but nothing more. Hofmann was what is called a follower in the industry.
This is how the now 30-year-old also fitted in at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Jonas Hofmann got his assignments – he didn’t attract much attention in his early days on the Lower Rhine. First half season (2015/16): 0 goals. Second season (2016/17): 0 goals. Third season (2017/18): 0 goals.
Eliminated the zero-goals man’s taint
Only in his fourth year did the native of Heidelberg finally shed the stigma of being a zero-goal man. Hofmann – always looking for the best position – now scored his first goals for Gladbach in the Bundesliga. During this time, his reputation as an all-rounder was strengthened – Hofmann sometimes defended on the right back, then he played again on the left wing or attacking on the right. It was a constant back and forth. But his passion is for the ten: “I prefer to play centrally, as close to the goal as possible”he once said about himself.
The central offensive remained his dream, but Jonas Hofmann’s performances got better and better. In Mönchengladbach he has developed into a leading player over the past two years, without whom the team would be unimaginable. The numbers also prove that. The man with the number 23 scored 17 points in the last two seasons.
Last season he was even Borussia’s top scorer with twelve goals. This season he’s ahead again with three goals, all of them scored as a right offensive player. Gone are the days when Hofmann was pushed back and forth on the pitch. Also the times, by the way, when he concluded too hastily. The calm in front of the goal is one of the most important reasons for the past successes.
Jonas Hofmann with his daughter after Borussia’s recent 3-0 win over Leipzig.
Development as in time lapse
Jonas Hofmann made a similar development as in Mönchengladbach in the national team – albeit in quick succession. Hofmann made his debut in the DFB selection in October 2020 in a 3-3 draw in Turkey. Hofmann was in the squad for the 2021 European Championship, but was not used due to a knee injury. His hour came this June when he saved the German team from a draw in the Nations League with his goals against England (1-1) and Hungary (1-1).
The accolade then followed in July. “If you look at the last few games, you have to say he’s seeded”, said national coach Hansi Flick of the “Rheinische Post” and gave Hofmann a commitment guarantee for the upcoming tournament in Qatar. Alongside Thilo Kehrer, Timo Werner, Leroy Sané and Ilkay Gündogan, Hofmann was one of only five professionals to appear in all 13 games under Flick.
Jonas Hofmann writes an autograph on September 19th. at the national team meeting.
Flick’s demand
It will be interesting to see whether Hofmann’s high will continue – in the upcoming Nations League games against Hungary on Friday (September 23, 2022) and England (September 26, 2022) and especially in his first major tournament, the World Cup in Qatar . Flick has clearly formulated his assignment to the “man of the hour”. “It is also important for him that he continues to show his performance. He played his position offensively and thus made a mark and showed that he is a fixture in the national team.”according to Flick.
In Mönchengladbach, of course, the appreciation is just as great as in the national team. Hofmann recently extended his contract with Borussia until the summer of 2025, although he also had lucrative offers, including from the Premier League. Hofmann opted for Borussia, which is also why other top performers such as Alassane Plea are said to have also assured their stay.
All that’s missing now is that they let him play his favorite position in Mönchengladbach – then Hofmann’s luck would probably finally be perfect.