By Paul Gorgas and Roberto Lamprecht
Wilfried Kanga (24) is Hertha’s number one center forward. But who is behind it? After the departure of Davie Selke (27) to Cologne, two hopeful talents are now fighting for this new role in the center of the attack.
Jessic Ngankam (22) and Derry Scherhant (20) are finally fit to forget after a first half of the season with various injuries.
BILD learned: In order for the breakthrough with Hertha professionals to finally succeed, both of them worked diligently on extra shifts in Berlin until shortly before Christmas.
Derry Scherhant (left) is the future. Here he shakes off oldie Peter Pekarik (36) in training in Florida Photo: City Press GmbH
While the rest of the professional squad went on vacation on December 8th, Ngankam and Scherhant worked voluntarily until December 20th at Hertha’s U23s under coach Ante Covic (47), who had supported both extremely in the past.
Will the duo now make the big career leap?
Hertha manager Fredi Bobic (51) puts great stock in the junior striker.
Bobic on Ngankam: “Jessic is like a newcomer, we think a lot of him.”
Power pack Jessic Ngankam wants to celebrate his comeback at Hertha in the second half of the season and get off to a flying start
Photo: City Press GmbH
Before the season, Ngankam came back from Fürth after a loan, but quickly injured his knee and had to have an operation. After the comeback in the U23s, he tore a muscle fiber. Now the restart should succeed!
Bobic on Scherhant: “And I take my hat off to Derry’s development over the last year and a half.”
Strong! Derry Scherhant wants to push himself further up in Hertha’s striker hierarchy with a lot of effort Photo: City Press GmbH
The attacker only came to Hertha in 2020 as a career changer from Berliner SC and had not previously gone through a youth academy. This season he has already made two Bundesliga appearances and nine games with the U23s (4 goals). He was also slowed down by muscle injuries and illnesses.
After the extra shifts in Berlin, both are now attacking again in Florida.
Both strikers, who can also play up front or on the wings, give Hertha new chances to score.