As of: March 29, 2024, 12:03 p.m
By: Stefan Schmid
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Sports director Krösche outlines the requirements profile for a Rode successor. A desired solution will probably not be cheap.
Frankfurt – The Bundesliga season is slowly entering the home stretch and with it the fight for the international places. Sebastian Rode will no longer be able to provide significant support to Eintracht Frankfurt. Nevertheless, Frankfurt is planning to participate in international business, especially with a view to finding a successor to the captain. Possible candidates are few and far between.
Krösche is looking for the egg-laying wooly pig
Hardly any other position on the field is as important as the number six. The stability of an entire team stands or falls with the occupation of the defensive midfield. For years, Sebastian Rode filled this role at Eintracht brilliantly. The fact that he is hanging up his boots after the season leaves a huge gap in Frankfurt.
Sports director Krösche is also aware of this and is
now presenting the profile of the sought-after successor in
kicker
. “It is a very complex position because on the one hand you need good defensive discipline, but also resistance to pressing. “You also have to find footballing solutions and show a certain level of consistency,” said Krösche, who added: “It’s not easy to find a player like that.”
Markus Krösche must find a successor to Sebastian Rode in the coming transfer window. © IMAGO / Jan Huebner
In addition, head coach Dino Toppmöller wants a new signing “who is used to the three-day rhythm”. He should also be able to take on a leadership role and guide the young players, on and off the pitch. Sounds like a jack of all trades that is rarely available on the transfer market at a low price. After all: According to Krösche, the newcomer does not necessarily have to speak German; English is “to a certain extent the cabin language”.
Well-known list meets SGE requirements for a Rode successor:
Julian Weigl (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
Pascal Gross (Brighton)
Weston McKennie (Juventus)
Adrien Rabiot (Juventus)
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Tottenham Hotspur)
Vitaly Janelt (Brentford FC)
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Crazy names – but really that absurd for Eintracht?
The statements of those responsible suggest that Rode wants to make Eintracht forget - at least in a playful way - with an external new addition. If you apply the formulated expectations, you will practically only find cost-intensive solutions. Completely absurd solutions (including Frenkie de Jong) are ignored, some of the remaining players on the list still sound crazy.
Among the less realistic newcomers are Weston McKennie, Adrien Rabiot and Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg. While McKennie probably won't be financially viable, Rabiot - as crazy as it sounds - might not be completely out of the world. The Frenchman gained experience at international level at top clubs (PSG and Juventus) and, what could possibly be crucial: the 28-year-old's contract is expiring (according to transfermarkt.de), so Krösche could at least save himself a transfer fee.
Would meet the requirements of a Rode successor: Vitaly Janelt, Pascal Groß and Adrien Rabiot (from left to right). © IMAGO / Action Plus / Students / IPA Sport
Höjbjerg, on the other hand, is under contract with Tottenham for another year, but is not an undisputed regular player there. It is doubtful whether the Dane can currently demonstrate the required consistency, not to mention the financial package. However, years of work in the Premier League could suit Höjbjerg. Even without taking part in an international competition, he is used to a fast schedule.
Will Eintracht grab a German six?
Even if you don't categorically insist on a German-speaking Rode replacement, such a solution would be obvious. National player Pascal Groß would virtually fulfill all the required attributes. He has experience, was recently able to prove himself in the DFB team, played internationally with Brighton this season and is already used to a lot of pressure in the Premier League. However, it can be questioned whether the 33-year-old will be a long-term solution.
Julian Weigl has been in the tank for many years and is still experienced. The 28-year-old has already seen a lot at international level (Dortmund and Benfica). In addition, at the age of 17, he was allowed to serve as captain of the Lions from Munich, who are always navigating choppy waters, even if only briefly - so he should be mentally stable. However, Gladbach will have little interest in letting Weigl go. Financial constraints could also play a role for the foals, who will almost certainly miss out on international places.
Vitaly Janelt is a little younger than Weigl and less well-known in Germany. In 2020, the German moved from VfL Bochum to Brentford, where the 25-year-old slowly became a regular player. Janelt is now set at the Premier League club. Krösche would have to judge for himself whether he is enough to be the leading player in Frankfurt. With a view to the coming transfer period, he will also go through the list of players on loan - there is unlikely to be a Rode successor among them. (
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