Issues before kick-off: where Bundesliga clubs must improve

The Bundesliga finally gets underway again on August 28. After clubs already had time since the transfer window opened in July to strengthen for the upcoming season, things are slowly getting serious. Although club bosses have been anything but inactive, every team still has one or two positions where reinforcements are needed. Here are the biggest problem areas for the clubs in Germany’s top flight. 

Last season’s promotion play-off winners urgently need to add more firepower in attack. Of the current options up front and on the wings, only Steffen Tigges and 36-year-old Sven Michel have Bundesliga experience. And even those two have hardly set the world alight in the top flight so far.

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The same goes for Bundesliga newcomers Elversberg. Alongside Luca Pfeiffer, who has managed just one goal in 43 Bundesliga appearances so far, David Mokwa is planned as the central striker. He brings all of 20 minutes of Bundesliga experience to the table. A solution could soon be in place: if the transfer doesn’t still collapse, SVE are set to loan Noel Futkeu from Frankfurt after his 19 goals in the 2. Bundesliga last season.

As much as Schalke fans may not want to hear it: whether attacking player Kenan Karaman can establish himself in the Bundesliga is far from certain. In his previous 123 Bundesliga matches, the S04 captain scored only 14 goals and has never really shone in the top flight the way he has in the 2. Bundesliga.

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Since the alternatives in his position are also rather underwhelming, Schalke should take another look around here. 

Despite the sporting blow of Romano Schmid’s departure, Bremen should be looking even more urgently for an alternative on the defensive right flank. Whether Weiser will be fit for the start of the season is anyone’s guess, and just about every other option would be out of position. 

One thing is clear: if El Mala still leaves, Köln will need to add serious depth in attack. Aside from that, the Cathedral City club should definitely also be looking for a strong defensive midfielder. Okon-Engstler is still inexperienced, Krauss is repeatedly injured, and Jóhannesson also had problems at Bundesliga level last season. 

It was clear that Vušković would leave a big gap in defense. If the Hanseatic side are not to become a complete laughing stock at the back next season, Krüger & Co. still need to bring in an experienced player who can stabilize the defense at least to some extent the way Vušković could. 

Gladbach are also looking thin at the back. While the duo of Diks and Elvedi certainly looks capable at Bundesliga level, the alternatives behind them are largely inexperienced. Ideally, that gap should still be closed.

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For Union, there’s no getting around the right-back position. Although Trimmel is a deserving Köpenick legend, the Austrian is now a proud 39 years old. Alternative Juranovic is often injured, so a third — and perhaps more versatile — full-back certainly wouldn’t hurt. 

After Eric Martel’s injury, Mainz could certainly consider another option for central midfield. 

For FCA, it’s a “what if” scenario. If Kömür still leaves the club, the Fuggerstadt side would definitely need to look for an attacking replacement. Otherwise, a versatile full-back would also be an option. 

After Kristensen’s departure, Frankfurt in turn should be looking for another right-back. As things stand, they would otherwise go into the season with only Elias Baum, since Chandler, the first alternative, is injured.

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SC Freiburg are already well advanced in their squad planning. For the Breisgau club, the number one priority must be to sell Noah Atubolu for a satisfactory fee. Otherwise, €25 million in market value will be sitting on the bench or in the stands for the time being. 

After Bayer Leverkusen filled the gap left by Hincapie in central defense with Medina, the focus should be on another defensive midfielder. Eichhorn has suffered a serious injury, and Palacios could still leave the club. If he goes, there would be a clear need for action here. 

Ever since it became clear that Asllani is staying, TSG will probably not sign another striker. However, they could still strengthen in the number ten role.

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Conté does not have much Bundesliga experience, and the alternatives also do not look ideal so far if TSG want to follow up last season with another similarly successful campaign. 

For VfB, the question of their weak spot is still tied to possible departures. If El Khanouss, Demirovic, or both still leave, the Swabians will need to strengthen up front. If not, the attack has looked very solid since the Pejcinovic deal. 

After Diomande’s mega-transfer to Real Madrid, the gap left by the Ivorian has to be filled. Primarily on the right wing, of course, but they will probably also want to add more depth. 

After the endless back-and-forth of recent weeks, Dortmund’s priority will probably be to finally get the El-Mala deal over the line. At least if BVB’s public rejection was only a transfer tactic. Otherwise, an alternative will of course be needed.

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After reports from around Bayern suggested that no more players are actually expected to come in, Bayern’s current issue is João Palhinha. Ideally, the Portuguese midfielder should still be taken off the wage bill so he can prove himself elsewhere. 

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

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