Many new players were signed at Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer, not all of whom were convincing.Image: dpa / Arne Dedert
“We don’t plan any big transfers”, it was said by Markus Krösche for the New Year, in his capacity as sports director at Eintracht Frankfurt. Now the personnel carousel at the SBU could be pushed again.
Eintracht coach Oliver Glasner is currently preparing for the season with 28 players in the Arab Emirate of Dubai. The professionals there have until January 14th to prove themselves for the Bundesliga opener on January 21st. For a player in particular, it should be the last opportunity to fight to remain in the team.
Loan from Frankfurt defender could be terminated early
In the summer, the trained full-back Luca Pellegrini came on loan from Juventus Turin and was supposed to follow in the big footsteps of Filip Kostić on the left wing, who in turn switched to the Italian record champions. Kostić is now a regular in Turin, while Pellegrini was unable to assert himself in Frankfurt.
Luca Pellegrini has a difficult time at Eintracht. Image: IMAGO/Omar Arnau
According to “picture“-information, the signs are now growing that the possible misunderstanding is being put to an early end. The 23-year-old Italian is actually on loan until the end of the season, but he may return to Juve in the second half of the season.
Pellegrini has had to struggle with the high intensity in Germany so far, in the Bundesliga he only made nine unconvincing appearances. Before the World Cup break, Ansgar Knauff had generally done better in the same position. Meanwhile, junior Dina Ebimbe, who came on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, was able to establish himself on the right side.
Frankfurt looking for a central defender
Should an agreement be reached to terminate the Pellegrini loan agreement, would like to strengthen the central defender position in Hesse. Due to a lack of staff, regular six-man Kristijan Jakić had to help out in the central defensive position all too often – Glasner would like to see the Croatians back in the central defensive midfield.
After Jérôme Onguéné, who also failed to impress, was loaned back to Salzburg, there would now also be room for an additional central defender in the SBU squad. Onguéné himself only signed a contract in Frankfurt until 2027 in the summer, but has not made a single competitive appearance this season. In Salzburg, the Cameroonian international should now gather match practice.
Jude Bellingham is arguably one of the most promising footballers of the moment. The 19-year-old is under contract with Borussia Dortmund until 2025. A departure in the coming summer is considered likely. Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez was recently confident of victory in Bellingham poker. However, a move to the Premier League is more likely. Bellingham’s father Mark had himself played in the lower division in England, the “transfer target number 1” should be Liverpool FC.