The rumour mill has linked the club with a plethora of players in recent weeks, with Ardon Jashari being sought after by head coach Niko Kovac, only to have the Swiss midfielder reportedly spurn the club for Milan. Johan Bakayoko was a topic of interest, but alas, not serious enough of an interest to stop his move to RB Leipzig from taking shape. James McAtee, who also had several Bundesliga clubs after him, has reportedly decided against a move to the Bundesliga in favour of staying in the Premier League. Ethan Nwaneri, who is reported to have been Dortmund’s top target this summer, is also set to sign a contract extension at Arsenal beyond 2026.

And so the specter of expectation still looms large over the club, with a feeling of restlessness draping this mounting expectation like a weighted cloak, compounding the outside anxiety surrounding the club. From comments made by the club’s hierarchy, it’s clear that they want to strengthen, but the lack of clear agency (at face value) doesn’t help appearances. The general idea is that the club wants a versatile attacker or two, but players have so far either not been serious topics, or simply out of reach. 

This perception is a very fragile one however; one that can change very quickly should the club identify and pursue a player that directly fits their needs. The most recent name to possibly fit that mould is Facundo Buonanotte. 

Buonanotte, who spent last season on loan at Leicester City, is a young Argentine attacking midfielder that is also capable of playing out wide, which is very much the versatile type of player that Dortmund need. The sale of Jamie Gittens to Chelsea and the imminent departure of Gio Reyna to Parma leaves a big void on two fronts, both on the wings as well as at the 10. The 20-year-old talent would certainly demand minutes if a move were to come to fruition, and considering his versatility, he’d certainly get those minutes in this Dortmund side. 

Besides versatility, Buonanotte offers substantial threat at set pieces, is a very proficient dribbler and has a very solid passing range; aspects of his game that made him an important player for Leicester City this past season. The young Argentine chipped in with five goals and two assists this season, and despite the club’s relegation, he was a driving force in the club’s attack and a proper difference-maker when called upon. 

Deployed predominantly on the right side for Leicester, the player showed he is an adept crosser of the ball based on the numbers, registering a cross accuracy of 39.5%, a factor which could very much be to Dortmund’s benefit. Serhou Guirassy spent much of last season dropping deep because, at times, there was a lack of service to the player. Buonanotte could certainly help remedy that for Guirassy, and Dortmund as an extension.

Buonanotte’s numbers also show a defensive propensity, which, if played as an attacking midfielder for Dortmund, would replace the lack of defensive contributions we often see from Dortmund’s current number 10, Julian Brandt. Buonanotte recorded 4.70 recoveries and 7.97 duels won per 90 last season, which would add a bit more robustness to Dortmund’s midfield. Buonanotte could also use the moments to spark attacks in transition for Dortmund, something that he wasn’t perhaps able to do as much at a struggling Leicester side simply trying to survive last season. 

As we’ve already been able to see with the likes of Jobe Bellingham during the Club World Cup, who also played a more subdued role for Sunderland last season, players coming to Dortmund, which is a more attacking side, can go on to be far more productive in attack than perhaps their numbers initially show at previous clubs simply due to the attacking nature of the club as a whole. Buonanotte ticks a lot of the boxes Dortmund is looking for and could really take the next step in his development in Germany.

The one question that remains however is the financial feasibility of a move. Additional reports suggest that the club is currently in talks with Brighton to sign the player, with strong interest coming to the fore after the complications surrounding the possible signing of Carney Chukwuemeka. Olympique Lyon are also reported to be interested. 

Buonanotte is currently valued at €20m, and has a contract with Brighton until 2028. These factors make a potential move an expensive one. With the club having been reportedly ready to pay a high fee for Nwaneri however, it’s clear that there is money for the club to shell out on the proper replacement. Buonanotte would fit multiple needs for Dortmund, and with the squad as thin as it currently is, Dortmund can hardly afford to let another high caliber target slip through their clutches. 

GGFN | Brian Szlenk

All stats via FBRef, unless otherwise stated.

Arguably the finest player on the pitch vs Mainz was none other than Michael Olise. He worked his magic across the 90 minutes for the Bavarians, helping to instigate Leroy Sané’s opening goal and driving Mainz’ defense crazy with his sensational dribbling skills and delicate changes of direction, and he even drew an early yellow card from Philipp Mwene. And in the 40th minute, Olise picked the ball up on the right flank before wiggling inside and whipping a devilish left-footed effort into the near post. To put the cherry on top, Olise delivered a splendid corner kick towards the near post, where Eric Dier was ready to head home in the 84th minute.

It was a world-class display from Olise, who won 9 out of 14 ground duels, completed 33 out of 40 passes (including three key passes), created two big chances, and won seven fouls. He also did his job out of possession, winning one out of one aerial duel, completing two interceptions, and registering one tackle. And it was yet more evidence why Olise is proving to be one of Bayern’s best signings in recent times. 

Born in London to a Nigerian father and French-Algerian mother, Olise enjoyed spells at Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City before making the move to Reading. It was here in Berkshire where Olise established himself as one of the best players in England’s second division and was named as the EFL Young Player of the 2020/21 Season. However, just like Jimmy Conrad, he would have to carefully bide his time before making the step up to the highest level.

“He was very talented at the time, but I noticed that he needed to grow up a bit,” stated Everton goalkeeper João Virgínia, who played alongside Olise during the first half of the 2019/20 season. “Once he matured, he became the player he is now. You could definitely see at the time that he had the talent, the speed, the dribbling skills…he’s such a good player to watch and seeing him perform the way he is now is great.”

These impressive displays caught the attention of Crystal Palace, who signed him for £8.37m in 2021. Over the next three years, Olise emerged as a vital cog in Palace’s attack, becoming their youngest Premier League goalscorer since Clinton Morrison in 1998 as well as the youngest player to assist three goals from open play in a single Premier League match. Similarly to Fluminense’s Jhon Arias, Olise boasted a penchant for not just setting his teammates in dangerous goalscoring positions, but also finding the back of the net with a ferocious effort. He became the first Palace player to register 10 assists in a single Premier League season in 2023, and in 2024, he racked up 10 goals and six assists in 19 appearances and was nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year. While plenty of Premier League sides like Arsenal and Manchester United registered an interest in signing him, it was Bayern who managed to pry him away for €60m including add-ons.

It hasn’t taken long for him to make a name for himself in Bavaria. Olise needed just two minutes to assist Kingsley Coman’s goal after making his debut vs SSV Ulm in the DFB-Pokal, and he’s built on that momentum and emerged as a vital performer for Vincent Kompany’s Bayern, racking up 17 goals and 21 assists in 50 appearances across all competitions. Thanks to his world-class dribbling skills and his unique blend of technical finesse and creativity, Olise can play just about anywhere in attack and make an impact, but he’s mainly favoured the right side of Kompany’s 4-2-3-1. Olise leads all Bundesliga players with 15 assists and 12.51 Expected Assists, whilst he also sits atop the league with 32 big chances created.

To put Olise’s brilliance in perspective, he has created 32 big chances in the Bundesliga, nearly twice as many as second-placed Florian Wirtz (17). At 23 years of age, he has established himself as one of the most creative threats in the Premier League and the Bundesliga, and he has beaten out plenty of competition to emerge as one of the first names on the team sheet. It’s little surprise why Olise has finally begun to draw the attention of the national team. After impressing for France in their silver-place finish in last summer’s Summer Olympics alongside the likes of Rayan Cherki and Desire Doue, Olise has finally managed to make his mark for France’s senior team.

Bayern Munich are going through a transition in attack. Leroy Sane has left Bayern for Galatasaray, Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry could be headed for the exit door this summer, while Thomas Müller has confirmed his departure after 25 years at the club. However, in Olise, they have a player who is capable of leading the charge for Bayern’s attack not just in the long term, but the short term as well. And after winning the first trophy of his career, he’s hungrier than ever to add another piece of silverware with the FIFA Club World Cup underway.

Having finished second in their group behind Portuguese giants Benfica, Bayern will head to Miami on Sunday to face Brazilian powerhouse Flamengo – if they win, they will meet either PSG or Inter Miami.

Asllani is currently on loan at second division side Elversberg who have recently secured a place in the play-offs to potentially gain promotion to the Bundesliga.

The 22-year-old has been a crucial part of the Elversberg team by scoring 18 goals and providing nine assists.

Borussia Monchengladbach, Werder Bremen, Freiburg and Stuttgart are interested in the player and back in the winter, Union Berlin and Cologne contacted Hoffenheim to enquire about his future.

Clubs across Europe are also reportedly showing an interest such as Lille, Sporting Lisbon, Fenerbahçe and Anderlecht.

Despite several clubs being interested in securing the signature of Asllani, Hoffenehim manager Andreas Schicker has expressed his desire to keep the player for the long-term future.

“The fact is that Fisnik is our player. If he returns now in the summer, he will have a contract until June 2026. Of course, we have already had talks. We will try to extend with him.”

Elversberg will take on Heidenheim in the first leg of the play offs on Thursday evening which will then be followed by the second leg on Monday.

GGFN | Matthew Gritton

Depending on Dortmund’s eventual league finish however, any sort of business Dortmund will look to conduct will really come down to the financial situation that finish will leave them in. Dortmund, while certainly still in the middle of a domestic upswing with big wins over Mainz, Freiburg and Borussia Monchengladbach, are still not guaranteed European football, let alone their usual dose of Champions League competition and the financial booms that come with it. They do however have Club World Cup money, and whatever money they make off of potential sales. 

More reports seem to surround the departure of high profile players such as Jamie Gittens, and despite Lars Ricken’s recent interview stating the Englishman has not put in a transfer request, the club may yet receive some tantalising bids for the player this coming summer. 

Dortmund will also seemingly look to offload more bit-part players such as Salih Özcan and Gio Reyna, with the prospective rebuild resulting in the club moving on a few more players to both make space and raise funds for incoming targets. This, coupled with the aforementioned Club World Cup funds, would make for substantial available financial firepower. 

With this in mind, it’s important to highlight that one of the areas of interest the club will be likely to upgrade will be midfield. The likes of Marcel Sabitzer, the aforementioned Özcan, Emre Can (in that midfield position), Felix Nmecha and Pascal Groß have had a tumultuous time this season due to both the drop off in quality of play in some cases, and injuries in others. Dortmund will look to do smart business on this end, and get as much ‘bang for their buck’ as they can with incoming signings to help rectify this matter. One such player that the club could look into is FC Nürnberg’s Caspar Jander.

While I’m usually very much a vocal supporter of the club looking outside the confines of Germany for a more diverse and broader array of talent, Jander is a player I take exception to particularly because of the exemplary 2. Bundesliga season he has had, in addition to the clear interest he’s already getting from Bundesliga clubs such as Stuttgart, Freiburg and Bayer Leverkusen. At time of writing, Jander’s goal contributions for the season stand at a very tidy three goals and six assists across 27 2. Bundesliga appearances from defensive midfield. He is quite creative for a defensive midfielder in terms of chance creation, with the former Schalke youth academy product creating 1.46 chances per 90 this season.  He also excels in terms of dribbles (0.69) and fouls won (2.10) clearly highlighting what a menace he can be outside of the defensive duties his position demands. 

On the defensive side of things, Jander loves to put in a solid tackle, winning 2.06 tackles per 90 as a result. He also wins 58.5% of his duels and averages 5.83 recoveries per 90, making him more than capable of being responsible for winning back possession and starting a lethal counter attack, especially if we take his more forward thinking numbers into account. 

Numbers aside, Jander has often been lauded for his skills on the ball, aforementioned ability to dribble, and ability to handle pressure. He is also a very athletic player, helping him maintain a robust presence in midfield – something that Dortmund could have used very much this season. His ability to retain the ball would significantly improve Dortmund’s current midfield security, and his ability to move the ball forward and create chances in his own right would add a very lively and effective element to a midfield that has often both had trouble creating said chances, or acting as a buffer for the midfield to help soak pressure.  At 22, it would very much be the right time for Jander to try his luck in Germany’s top flight, something that Dortmund could very much play a role in should they get involved in the race for his signature. 

Of course, Jander’s signing wouldn’t be one that would be aimed at making him a first team player right away, but his with his current market valuation sitting at €5m, there’s a chance Dortmund could make this signing work in the low eight digit range, perhaps closer to €10-15m, which shouldn’t put too much strain on their budget for this coming summer. His current contract runs until 2028, which, coupled with his performances, would account for some level of uptick in any final sum any club would have to pay for his services. 

With players in the midfield set to possibly make a move elsewhere, Jander fits in perfectly as a player that could start out as a solid addition in terms of midfield depth, but has the potential to become a future mainstay in Dortmund’s midfield should he continue to progress. It would be up to the club to convince Jander of a pathway leading him to that role, especially with clubs like Freiburg and Stuttgart showing interest, as there is always the chance that they could offer him a quicker step-up to regular top tier football. 

GGFN | Brian Szlenk

There was a very strong silver lining for the club and its fans however, with the very uncomplicated and extremely welcome signing of much needed defensive reinforcement; a lack of which had been a glaring hole in Dortmund’s squad planning BVB from the summer. Dortmund secured the signing of talented left-back Daniel Svensson on loan with the option to make the deal permanent in the summer. 

Dortmund’s deal to sign Svensson from FC Nordsjælland is an ode to the types of deals we saw Die Schwarzgelben complete more often during the Jürgen Klopp era, namely, deals for talented players at a cut price from a league most would likely be less familiar with. Turning the club’s attention to markets that were generally a bit more obscure or creative was what made the club’s transfer business so enthralling, and to see BVB return to its roots so to speak is refreshing. 

In Svensson, Dortmund has signed a talented player who promises to be quite the coup, especially for the projected €6m-7m fee. Liverpool reportedly also explored the idea of signing Svensson, but Dortmund was clearly able to offer a better perspective in terms of first-team minutes, especially due to that aforementioned lack of depth in the full-back position. 

Svensson started his career at IF Brommapojkarna in Sweden prior to his move to Nordsjaelland. He made his senior debut in 2020 and went on to become an integral part of their squad. 

Taking a look at the player himself, Svensson’s profile fits quite nicely in terms of the type of reinforcement Dortmund could benefit from in his position. In the 2023/24 season, he chipped in with four goals and 12 assists for the Danish Superliga side. He’s had a more quiet 2024/25 season, having only provided two assists in 19 appearances, but this should not take away from what he is capable of. He shares the ability to invert during games with a certain Ian Maatsen, who was a success at Dortmund under Edin Terzić. While he is predominantly a full-back, he is very much able to play in central-midfield as well, as he showed on more than one occasion during his time in Denmark.

Svensson’s ability to play in numerous positions will also be a boon for Dortmund, as having a versatile player for rotation is always a helpful asset for a team like Dortmund which often struggles with injuries across the board. In his own words, Svensson considers himself a very attack-minded player who likes to go forward and pose a threat for his team:

“I’m a left back, I like to have the ball a lot, and I like to play attacking football…going forward, trying to score goals” -Daniel Svensson

Going forward, Svensson is a proficient dribbler of the ball with the player having a 58.8% dribble success rate this season, per FotMob. Compared to Dortmund’s current top-performing full-back (not taking into account the difficulty of the league), he leads Ramy Bensebaini in terms of chances created (1.76 in comparison to Bensebaini’s 1.01), cross accuracy (28.6% to Bensebaini’s 16.7%) and long ball accuracy (49% to Bensebaini’s 44.2%) per 90. 

These numbers are in no way meant to indicate that Bensebaini has had a bad season; his one goal and five assists speak otherwise. It is more so to highlight the potential Dortmund may have in a player like Svensson should he maintain his output with this step-up to Bundesliga level competition. The player’s clear ability to go forward and create will be invaluable to a Dortmund side that had both failed to create this season and done a poor job of finishing chances one may have expected them to do better with. 

In terms of defensive numbers, Svensson has won 61% of his duels this season, and 77.3% of his tackles overall. He also averages 1.41 interceptions per 90, which if we once again use Bensebaini as a positive benchmark for this season, puts him above the Algerian international, who has by comparison won 46% of his tackles, and averages 1.25 interceptions per 90. 

Taking this information into account, Dortmund seems to have acquired the services of a very balanced player that understands the importance of both aspects of his role in modern football; he looks to go forward whilst attending to his defensive duties without leaving his teammates out to dry when the opposition tries to pose a threat. He also seems to be a player brimming with energy and commitment when he features on the pitch, something that many Dortmund fans have come to love about fellow full-back Julian Ryerson. Once again, much depends on whether or not Svensson is ready to make the step up to Bundesliga play, which considering his performances and age (22-years-old), should be the case.

If all goes to plan on the pitch for Svensson and Dortmund, both the financial package as well as the Sweden international’s versatility could also leave the door open for a potential return for Dortmund academy product Tom Rothe in the future, as the position has not become exceedingly crowded in a way that would block this sort of move from coming to fruition. It’s also important to keep in mind that Bensebaini isn’t getting any younger, and with the Algerian international turning 30 this year, the club may be thinking of contingency plans as is should his form not continue into next season. 

In Svensson, Dortmund has likely sealed a long-term talent for the defence and midfield that is hopefully able to help the club turn the tide in this second half of the season and help them achieve their goal of Champions League football for the 2025/26 campaign. His talent and versatility could see him become an integral part of this Dortmund squad for many seasons to come. 

GGFN | Brian Szlenk

What would follow after he joined PSG would put a damper on Ekitiké’s development. Joining a club of that size so quickly, with the level of depth they possessed did very little to allow him to flourish. Since then, like many former PSG players before him, Ekitiké has made a home for himself in the Bundesliga. In his case, this home is now Eintracht Frankfurt.

Frankfurt made their initial loan deal for Ekitiké last season a permanent one this past summer, and the player has once again begun to flourish under the tutelage of Dino Toppmöller. Paired up front with the imperious Omar Marmoush, Ekitiké already has six goals and three assists to his name across 13 appearances for Frankfurt in the Bundesliga and Europa League combined.

Ekitiké’s renaissance is in no small part thanks to quite a few factors that only a club like Frankfurt makes possible, which shouldn’t make his on-field rehabilitation a massive surprise. Alongside Frankfurt’s role in this, it was also Ekitiké’s will to take a step away from a club like PSG that gave him the chance to turn his career around.

Stepping out of Kylian Mbappé’s shadow

When one thinks of Paris Saint-Germain at the time that Ekitiké signed for them, three things in particular come to mind: exemplary youth talent production, vast transfer fees for talented players, and Kylian Mbappé. In PSG’s case, these three things didn’t always gel well, especially in terms of player integration. Talented players such as Moussa Diaby, Christopher Nkunku and Kingsley Coman are but a drop in the bucket of top prospects that have left PSG for pastures new and went on to find success in other leagues, particularly the Bundesliga.

While Ekitiké wasn’t an academy product, he was yet another talented player that was always going to find it difficult to get minutes, especially with the attacking firepower that PSG possessed. After half a season at the club, it was clear to everyone watching that Ekitiké would not be benching Mbappé, and it underlined just how much of a stumbling block this move was for Ekitiké’s development.

Moving to Frankfurt first and foremost gave him a platform where he could perform and play consistently. This consistency allowed him to gain the confidence that his lack of game-time drained him of prior to the move and allowed him to start to develop into the player we are seeing do so well in the Bundesliga today.

Frankfurt’s history of nurturing young players and jumpstarting careers

Over the course of the last decade in particular, Frankfurt has been known as a club that loves to nurture young, talented players, and has proven time and time again to be a great springboard for some exciting attacking talent over the years. Randal Kolo Muani, Sébastien Haller, and Luka Jović, just to name a few, all received lucrative offers from top clubs after excelling in Frankfurt.

Frankfurt have also done an immense job of giving established players the platform to revive their careers and become an important part of their project. The list of names is extensive, with the likes of Mario Götze, Sebastian Rode and Robin Koch just a sampling of those who seemed to lose their way at other clubs, and then found a new home in Frankfurt.

Frankfurt’s record in both departments means that they often have a well-balanced environment of youth and experience in the squad, a factor which has likely worked in Ekitiké’s favour. Through their experiences, a player such as Götze, once hailed as Germany’s biggest “wunderkind”, can give someone like Ekitiké a tempered perspective that can help younger players better manage expectations and navigate the next steps in their careers.

It is likely that we can expect Ekitiké to make the jump from Frankfurt to a bigger club at some point, but with his own experience at PSG behind him, as well as the experiences of his teammates to draw from, the hope would be that he takes his time before making the jump again, and takes advantage of the opportunity Frankfurt is giving him to play at a high level in a lower-pressure environment before he decides on his next career move.

Dino Toppmöller & Frankfurt’s system

Pivoting now to the nitty gritty and tactical aspect of why Ekitiké has been such as success at Frankfurt, one could very easily point to the system that Dino Toppmöller employs at Frankfurt; a system that just happens to fit Ekitiké’s skillset like a glove. Partnered up top with the very much in form Omar Marmoush, Ekitiké has been able to play in a front two reminiscent of his time at Reims, which is when he first showed his ability to be an exciting player.

Under then Reims head coach Óscar García, like at Frankfurt, Ekitiké had the trust of a coach and club that wanted to focus on developing exciting youth players. The focus on elevating youth was critical, and something García noted that he took pride in, especially in Ekitiké’s case:

“I like to develop young players but, not only that, I want to be really competitive. You can develop players but maybe you’re not always so competitive. Here we’re trying to do both things at the same time. Sometimes it’s not easy but, last season, for example, we had the case of Hugo Ekitike – the most expensive sale in the history of the club. That makes us proud because we helped him reach another level.”

In the very same interview, García was very clear on what Ekitiké’s strengths were during his time with the club, and what sort of environment he would flourish in:

“He’s an offensive player who doesn’t like to work as a pure No 9, but prefers to be mobile. He’s tall and slim but very coordinated and he’s great with his feet. He’s not so strong with his head – that’s a point he has to improve on – but, with the right coach, he can keep improving and show his potential.”

Reims, and García in extension, realised that Ekitiké did not have the profile of an out and out striker, which is why playing him off of a strike partner allows him to take advantage of his strengths, i.e. being mobile and direct player on the pitch, something that Toppmöller’s system at Frankfurt has focused on, especially this season. With Frankfurt often aiming to win the ball high up the pitch and hit on the counter with the goal of exploiting the space in behind the opposition, direct players that have pace and good with their feet are critical in pulling this off. Frankfurt have been one of the best counter-attacking sides in the league this season, and the 4-4-2 they set up under Toppmöller has made them a very dangerous opponent for any team in the league.

Ekitiké’s numbers clearly back up his ability to perform in this environment. With 0.29 assists, 3.61 shot creating actions, 2.5 success take-ons and 2.74 progressive carries per 90, per FBRef, these stats underline Ekitiké’s ability to get forward, take on his man, and create dangerous opportunities for his side to capitalise on, even if he isn’t the one scoring. This also highlights the versatile nature of his play and why he works so well in a front two; Ekitiké thrives when he is not the centerpiece of the attack, but a more fluid aspect of it.

There’s still a long way to go this season, but Frankfurt currently sit third in the table at the time of writing. Frankfurt, and in extension Ekitiké, has the chance to really set a new standard for the club and what they are capable of achieving. If they continue on this trajectory, it is likely there will be no shortage of suitors for Ekitiké come the summer.

Based on what the player has shown for the club, and the sort of environment they provide, Ekitiké could certainly use a couple more years in the Bundesliga to really hone his skills while playing an important role for a team on the rise. At just 22, he has his whole career ahead of him to join the PSG’s of the world. For now, under the wings of Die Adler, Ekitiké can continue his development in a place where he will have opportunities to shine, instead of waiting in the wings for chances that clubs in higher pressure environments may not readily be able to offer him at this critical point in his career.

GGFN | Brian Szlenk

This season, Frankfurt has made some very interesting signings, bringing in the likes of Hugo Ekitiké on a permanent deal, along with young talents like Oscar Højlund and most notably Can Uzun, who could very much become exciting additions to Frankfurt’s already burgeoning squad.

Uzun in particular was regarded as quite the coup when Frankfurt announced his signing. Bundesliga clubs including Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich also vied for his signature, but to no avail. It is a credit to Frankfurt that they were able to present a project that gave Uzun the confidence to join them.

With such an exciting player in their midst, it only makes sense to take a closer look at just what type of player Frankfurt are getting and how head coach Dino Toppmöller is likely to use him. Right off the bat, we can confidently say that in Uzun, Frankfurt is getting a verified attacking threat.

Over the course of the last 50 games, Uzun has mostly occupied the central attacking midfield (13 appearances) and the center forward positions (8 appearances) at FC Nürnberg, with a handful of appearances in central midfield and out wide as well. During his time with Nürnburg, Uzun established himself as one of the 2. Bundesliga’s deadliest players, scoring 16 goals and providing two assists in the process.

Per FBRef, Uzun’s goal output sits at 0.58 goals per 90, which puts him in the 98th percentile when compared to players of a similar position in the last year. He was also very proficient in terms of take ons with the player succeeding in 2.42 take ons per 90, also putting him in a high (86th) percentile in this category.

Beyond just the stats, the player’s vision, timing of passing and technical quality have been highlighted as some of the many assets he has in his arsenal that make him such an exciting player. His incisive passing often unlocks opposition defences, marking him far more than just a goal scorer and in the right setup he could really flourish in terms of not just goal scoring, but also production.

The question then is, with his versatility and football IQ in mind, where would he fit in Frankfurt’s starting 11 under Toppmöller? The answer is of course is right behind the main striker, which in this case would be Hugo Ekitiké. This would likely be as the sole attacking midfielder, as he played in Nürnburg, or partnered with another attacking player just behind the striker. Last season, Toppmöller deployed the likes of Chaïbi and Marmoush to play right behind Ekitiké, and we may see a similar formation this season, with Uzun competing with them for a starting position.

At Frankfurt, Uzun will have the benefit of playing with a variety of talented players both young and experienced, which could see them boast a very talented and attack-minded midfield. An attack consisting of an in-form Ekitiké and/or Marmoush, backed with midfield components such as Mario Götze, Larsson and Chaïbi could really see Uzun’s game elevated in a way that he becomes the club’s next attacking jewel.

GGFN | Brian Szlenk

It is probably too far to write that at €53m, Bayern Munich have a bargain on their hands.

Yet, here I am, exulting over Michael Olise joining the Bavarian Giants.

I suppose the only remaining question is whether Olise is a ‘prospect’ or a ‘ready-made’ star. 

At 22, Olise is yet to achieve the heights of France compatriot Kylian Mbappé or his new teammates, such as Leroy Sané or Jamal Musiala. 

Between them, they have won World Cups, Champions Leagues, Premier Leagues, Bundesligas, Supercups and too many individual accolades at club and international level to note here.

Olise starred as France won an Olympic Silver Medal this summer but to compare CVs is a futile exercise. 

Olise has been biding his time with Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

Since signing from Reading for €9m in 2021, Olise made 90 appearances, scoring 16 goals and providing 25 assists. However, these stats are incomplete without context.

On 9 April 2023, Olise became the youngest player to assist three goals from open play in a single Premier League match in a 5–1 victory against Leeds United. 

In May, Olise became the first Palace player to register ten assists in a single Premier League season.

Stand-out performances in wins against West Ham (5-2), Manchester United (4-0), and Wolves (3-1) lifted Palace to 19 points from a possible 21 in his final seven games for the south London side.

Flashscore awarded Olise a 9.9 in the West Ham win. Only one performance has ever been rated higher (Erling Haaland with a 10 for five goals vs Leipzig).

His contributions transformed Crystal Palace from a lower-half side to a top-10 team.

Olise was rewarded with Palace’s Players’ Player of the Season and Goal of the Season.

Amidst transfer speculation in January, former Palace boss, Hodgson, said “[it] would be a sad day for the club.”

Bayern overcome interest from other Premier League clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle United to sign the France international.

Now the time has come for Olise to shine on the world stage.

His Bayern career has started with a bang.

In his first start for his new side, it took Olise just 12 minutes to open the scoring in a friendly against Swiss side, Grasshoppers. 

Olise had danced through the Grasshopper defence in the third minute, nearly setting up Kane with a magical assist but the England captain wasted a golden chance.

Olise took no chances with his goal, volleying a loose ball into the top corner from 18 yards.

It was the ability that Crystal Palace fans have got used to at Selhurst Park.

Olise’s ball control, vision, and pace are attributes that will open up Bundesliga defences this season and it will be exciting to see him try.

With the right management, Olise could be the signing of the season and Bayern should return to their dominant winning ways.

Suddenly, €53m is looking cheap.

GGFN | Oscar O’Mara

During his time in the German second division, Wanner scored six and created three, helping secure Elversberg’s status in the 2. Bundesliga after being tipped for an immediate return to the 3. Liga. With silky feet and an ability to go past his marker, Wanner has shown from an early age his potential. But with competition stiff at Bayern Munich with the arrival of Michael Olise, generational talent Jamal Musiala, and Thomas Müller still at the club, Wanner has joined fellow Bundesliga side Heidenheim as he searches for more minutes in the top flight.

In Heidenheim, who made their first foray into European football on Thursday evening following their maiden campaign in the Bundesliga, in which they finished eighth, Wanner can go to the Voith-Arena with very little pressure. It’s a similar move that Eren Dinkçi made last season. Dinkçi joined the club from Werder Bremen on loan and went on to score 11 and create six in 34 games across all competitions before securing a transfer to Freiburg for €5m.

Operating on the right-flank, Wanner is expected to take Dinkçi’s place and although different profiles, expect Wanner to improve immensely as a player under Franck Schmidt, who has been in charge at Heidenheim since 2007. The 50-year-old gets the best out of his players, and Wanner is in the perfect place to advance his career.

GGFN | Daniel Pinder

With those fortunate enough to have seen a glimpse of the midfielder’s talent at a young age, expectations were undoubtedly high for Ouédraogo’s future, but instantly stepping into first-team football and proving his ability was not a guarantee.

Yet, 90 minutes later, despite Schalke falling to defeat away from home at the Volksparkstadion, the mesmerising 17-year-old shone, registering a goal and an assist, as clubs across Europe wondered how much it would cost to lure him away from the Veltins Arena.

In a campaign blighted by injuries, Die Königsblauen were not able to call upon Ouédraogo as much as they would have hoped, leaving them fighting against relegation for the majority of the season; however, when he was fit, he was a marvel to watch.

Standing just shy of 6′ 3” (1.91 m), there is reason to believe that the now 18-year-old will not be the most elegant of players on the ball, but this could not be further from the case.

Despite his tall frame, with a ball at his feet, there are few players in the world that are as majestic and agile as the former Schalke midfielder, with a low centre of gravity abnormal for players of his size.

Taking on players at will with his quick feet and sudden change of direction, Ouédraogo also has the added component of using his body to hold off opposing defenders.

It is little surprise; therefore, that interest in the midfielder’s signature was vast, with Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Brighton & Hove Albion, and AC Milan all looking to sign Germany’s future star.

Regardless, RB Leipzig were the side able to agree on a fee with Schalke, leaving many clubs across Europe frustrated having missed out on such a rare talent.

However, how will Assan Ouédraogo fit in at RB Leipzig? 

The departure of Dani Olmo to Barcelona has opened a hole that undoubtedly will need to be filled in Marco Rose’s side.

It is expected that the new signing, Antonio Nusa, will occupy the left-hand side of Leipzig’s attack, while Xavi Simmons will star on the right.

Therefore, it will be in the middle of Rose’s midfield where Ouédraogo will look to stamp his authority this season.

Sidelined with an injury for the opening few weeks of the new campaign, upon his return, the German U-18 international will look to become a key figure, shifting either Kevin Kampl, Nicolas Seiwald, Xaver Schlager, or Amadou Haidara out of the side.

In either a box-to-box role or playing slightly more advanced, Ouédraogo is far more dangerous when in central positions. 

He is not afraid to help out with defensive duties, carry the ball up the pitch, and link defence to attack, which will be his main aim in a Die Roten Bullen shirt.

While there are still parts of his game that need ironing out, such as his pass completion, at just 76.5% last season, as per FBref, there is no reason why Ouédraogo cannot establish himself as one of the Bundesliga’s and Germany’s most completed midfielders over the next few seasons.

GGFN | Will Shopland