The club will give up a top star – but a new one will come along
Steffen Baumgart has been the coach of 1. FC Köln since July 2021. Image: imago/ beautiful sport
Bundesliga
For the 1st FC Cologne The World Cup in Qatar could not have come at a better time. The billy goats are extremely weak in the games before the winter break: They were only able to take one point from the last five games.
If it’s for the Effzeh on January 21st in the Bundesliga Against Werder Bremen continues, it is therefore 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 “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‘ Baumgart states.
Ellyes Skhiri played for Tunisia at the World Cup.Image: AP / Luca Bruno
Ellyes Skhiri joined 1. FC in 2019 Cologne and is quickly becoming a permanent 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. At the World Cup, too, he impressed with his appearances for the Tunisian National team.
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. Of the BVB found what he was 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 likelihood also book a new signing – and that already in the winter. Davie Selke is said to be on a free transfer from Hertha BSC come and provide more goal danger in the storm. The deal is expected to be finalized in the new year.
When Dortmund’s Jew Bellingham played for his youth club Birmingham City at the tender age of 17, everyone knew what an exceptional talent he was. A second division season among professionals is enough to turn the heads of all the top clubs in Europe.