Steffen Baumgart has been the coach of 1. FC Köln since July 2021. Image: imago/ beautiful sports
Bundesliga
The World Cup in Qatar could not have come at a better time for 1. FC Köln. The billy goats were extremely weak in the games before the winter break: They were only able to take one point from the last five games.
If Effzeh continues against Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga on January 21, it will be a relegation battle. Only three points currently separate the people of Cologne from the relegation place. However, one player will contest his last second half of the season on the Rhine for the time being.
Top performers will leave the club in the summer
Like coach Steffen Baumgart compared to “express“, there is now more clarity about Ellyes Shkiri’s personal details. Cologne’s only World Cup driver is likely to leave the club at the end of the season – to the chagrin of his coach: “I would like to keep him and be happy if he stays. But the statements are clear that he wants to go a new way“, states Baumgart.
Ellyes Skhiri played for Tunisia at the World Cup.Image: AP / Luca Bruno
Ellyes Skhiri moved to 1. FC Köln in 2019 and quickly became a fixture in midfield. Ever since his move, he’s belonged at Effzeh they are among the players with the most stakes – and in the Bundesliga they are reliably among the players with the highest mileage. He also impressed with his appearances for the Tunisian national team at the World Cup.
Switch to league competitor under discussion
It is not yet clear where the 25-year-old will go. However, Steffen Baumgart suspects: “One or the other Bundesliga club will look at Ellyes.”
Borussia Dortmund could turn out to be a promising candidate. BVB found what they were looking for at 1. FC Köln in the summer, signing Salih Özcan and the Cologne crowd favorite Anthony Modeste.
In addition to Anthony Modeste (centre), Ellyes Skhiri could also be drawn to BVB.Image: dpa / David Indian song
Perhaps Skhiri is also drawn abroad. Some English and French clubs are also said to be interested in signing the Tunisian.
Cologne newcomer as good as fixed
In addition to the departure of Skhiri in the summer, the Cologne team could in all probability also book a new signing – and that already in the winter. Davie Selke should come from Hertha BSC on a free transfer and provide more goal danger in the storm. The deal is expected to be finalized in the new year.
Most recently, Niklas Stark made the move from Hertha BSC to Werder Bremen. In the summer, the central defender moved to the Weser on a free transfer and, after initial difficulties at the start, prevailed in Bremen. The 27-year-old was in the starting XI in six of the last eight league games before the World Cup break.
