Freiburg high-flyer

Last September, high-flyer Kiliann Sildillia from SC Freiburg was nominated for the “Golden Boy” award, followed by the interest of some top clubs such as Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan. The right-back opted for an extension in Breisgau in April, where his rapid rise suffered a dip. The 21-year-old initially lost his regular place and only found himself in the stands in the last two Bundesliga games.

2022 Gavi: All previous Golden Boy award winners

2003: Rafael van der Vaart (Ajax Amsterdam – Netherlands)

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2004: Wayne Rooney (Everton/Manchester United – England)

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2005: Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona – Argentina)

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2006: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal – Spain)

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2007: Sergio Aguero (Atlético Madrid – Argentina)

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2008: Anderson (Manchester United – Brazil)

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2009: Alexandre Pato (AC Milan – Brazil)

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2010: Mario Balotelli (Inter/Manchester City – Italy)

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2011: Mario Goetze (Borussia Dortmund – Germany)

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2012: Isco (Malaga CF – Spain)

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2013: Paul Pogba (Juventus – France)

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2014: Raheem Sterling (Liverpool FC – England)

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2015: Anthony Martial (Manchester United – France)

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2016: Renato Sanches (Benfica/Bayern Munich – Portugal)

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2017: Kylian Mbappé (AS Monaco/PSG – France)

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2018: Matthijs de Ligt (Ajax Amsterdam – Netherlands)

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2019: João Felix (Atlético Madrid/Benfica – Portugal)

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2020: Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund – Norway)

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2021: Pedri (FC Barcelona – Spain)

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2022: Gavi (FC Barcelona – Spain)

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“Kiliann played well, was very stable and calm,” coach Christian Streich summed up the strong phase before the long World Cup break in “Kicker”. The 58-year-old also has an explanation for the development in the second half of the year: “Then you’re interested and you’re 20 years old. It’s all about sums, it shakes you a bit.” The low form came after the extension at the Sport-Club, which originally brought him in 2020 for the reserve from the FC Metz youth team.


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“He wasn’t as fresh in the last few games, not as grippy in training, not as powerful. I discussed that with him. His enormous duel strength, his presence and his physicality are his identity,” explained Streich. “He has to define himself through that, then he’ll get better at football because he wins balls and can then continue playing.” always, every day. Keep doing video work with us and don’t slack off a millimeter. He has to perceive the signals he gets from us coaches and classify them correctly.”

Streich: Sildillia has to build on his strengths again at SC Freiburg

The French defender, who played 2,755 minutes in 38 games for SC Freiburg – only nine professionals have more playing time – has earned the summer break for now. “He needs it, he did a really great job. Then he should come back with 100 percent,” said Streich, which was necessary in view of “the big competition”. In the end, Sildillia will only prevail if its strengths are fully exploited.

9x at least 10 million: Most expensive departures from SC Freiburg

13 Oliver Baumann – 2014/15 – For €5.5m to TSG Hoffenheim

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12 Vincenzo Grifo – 2017/18 – For €6m to Gladbach

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11 Alexander Schwolow – 2020/21 – For €7m to Hertha BSC

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10 Admir Mehmedi – 2015/16 – For €8m to Bayer Leverkusen

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9 Matthias Ginter – 2014/15 – For €10m to BVB

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8 Papiss Demba Cissé – 2011/12 – €12m to Newcastle United

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6 Mark Flekken – 2023/24 – €13m to Brentford FC

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6 Robin Koch – 2020/21 – €13m to Leeds United

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5 Baptiste Santamaria – 2021/22 – €14m to Stade Rennes

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4 Luca Waldschmidt – 2020/21 – €15m to Benfica

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2 Maximilian Philipp – 2017/18 – For €20m to BVB

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2 Nico Schlotterbeck – 2022/23 – For €20m to BVB

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1 Caglar Söyüncü – 2018/19 – €21.1m to Leicester City

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