Among market value winners at VfB
Waldemar Anton was one of nine winners in the VfB Stuttgart squad in the Bundesliga’s latest market value update. For the 27-year-old central defender it went up from 4.5 million to 7 million euros. The reason for this was the extremely successful last few weeks: the Swabians, who were in relegation last year, got 18 points from seven games, which meant second place in the table. The last time they had a similar good start was in 2003/04 with 17 points.
All market value changes from VfB Stuttgart explained in detail
Anton sees the reason for this as a mix of different factors. “We also had quality in the squad before this season. The difference is that we now put them on the pitch consistently and their performances no longer fluctuate so much. Except for the second half in Leipzig, we always got the basics right. Then you get through difficult phases and win close games. That’s the reason why we’re doing well right now,” the defender explained in an interview with the “Stuttgart News“. He sees “full commitment and constant presence” as the “basics”, and unity is also “our trump card”.
Coach Sebastian Hoeneß is responsible for this, playing a “big role” in the current upswing. “He’s a great guy who takes everyone along. Everyone on the team is on the same wavelength as him. He brings the necessary sharpness in training, but also a certain looseness,” reported Anton, who sees himself at a good level and hasn’t missed a minute this season. “We got off to a good start with Hannover 96 in 2017. But it feels like it’s a different level now. And I have a really good, stable feeling on the pitch. So yes, you can say that things have never been as good for me in my career as they are now.”
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VfB Stuttgart’s Anton: “At least listen if something special comes along”
After the departure of Wataru Endo, who moved to Liverpool FC for 20 million euros, Anton took over the captaincy. An “honor” for the right-footed player “to wear the armband in such a big club. That makes me a little proud,” said Anton, whose contract with VfB runs until 2025. “And if everything goes well, I can easily imagine staying there beyond that. My family likes it in Stuttgart, things are going great in terms of sport, I don’t see any reason for anything else at the moment. But if something special were to come, I’m not the kind of person who wouldn’t at least listen to it. You have to be that honest. But as I said: That’s not an issue at the moment.”
A major ambition for the former U21 European champion remains the German senior national team, where teammate Chris Führich, among others, recently made his debut. “The decision is not mine, so I don’t worry about it. If the call from the national coach comes, I would of course be very happy. It’s already a goal for me. But I think about it as little as possible and focus on my performance at VfB. Everything else will then be seen,” explained Anton.
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