Marcus Thuram is thriving under Daniel Farke, on Friday he can shoot Gladbach to first place. But does the Frenchman stay with Borussia?
The corner flags in Borussia Park have had a difficult time since Marcus Thuram scored again. The Frenchman gave up his eccentric jubilation for a year, but now Thuram swings the pole, which is usually decorated with his jersey, through the air again.
After his most recent goal against Hoffenheim, Gladbach’s striker spoke of the “best birthday of all time” just in time for his 25th birthday, when he finally ripped the flag out of the ground again.
With his rediscovered desire to score and play, Thuram stands for the new beginning that Borussia hopes for under coach Daniel Farke. On Friday (8:30 p.m.) the son of world champion Lilian Thuram can even put the foals in first place in the table for one night in the home game against Hertha BSC.
It would of course only be a snapshot, but after a disappointing season under Adi Hütter it would be a welcome indication to the fans.
Thuram still dreams of the World Cup
Those fans had accused Thuram of a certain listlessness last year. There is no sign of that under Farke: The striker has already had seven goals in three competitive games – in addition to five goals, he contributed two assists. That is already more than twice as many as in the entire previous season, in which he scored three points in 23 appearances.
Thuram spoke self-critically about his lost year in the “Sport News Afrika” podcast in the summer, other statements were interpreted as criticism of the club and Hütter.
Thuram vehemently contradicted this interpretation and announced that action would follow on the pitch – also to get a place in the World Cup squad for defending champion France. So far, he has followed his words with deeds.
“He’s happy to continue in the same way. I’m very satisfied,” says Farke, who has apparently found the right approach, but at the same time demands consistency: “My mantra is: quality is top performance over a longer period of time. I’m far from it , breaking out in total euphoria after one or two good games. For me, you’re not a quality striker if you score five goals in a game – you have to prove that for weeks.”
Manchester United is putting out feelers
The big question, however, is how many games Thuram will play for Borussia. His contract expires in 2023, with a top offer Borussia would be willing to talk.
According to the tabloid “Daily Express”, even Manchester United are said to have recently expressed an interest in Thuram – as a possible (partial) replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo.
When asked whether Gladbach could even afford to sell from a sporting point of view, sporting director Roland Virkus recently answered “The question answers itself.”
Means: Gladbach would only give up the man who had shone with a double pack against Real Madrid in October 2020 – and now seems to be on the way to old strength, only for a lot of money. Flag jubilation included.
Expected team line-ups:
Moenchengladbach: Summer – Scally, Itakura, Elvedi, Bensebaini – Kramer, Kone – Hofmann, Neuhaus, Plea – Thuram. Trainer: Farke
Hertha BSC: Christensen – Kenny, Uremovic, Kempf, Mittelstädt – Sunjic – Tousart, Serdar – Lukebakio, Kanga, Ejuke. Coach: Black.