Felix Baum has quickly become a key figure in Eintracht Frankfurt’s defensive plans for the 2026/27 Bundesliga season. The club’s decision to pause talks with Oussama Idrissi-Gaaei reflects a broader shift in squad strategy under sporting director Markus Krösche and head coach Oliver Glasner.
Why Baum is now the decisive factor
Baum’s strong performances in pre-season training have earned him a clear path to the starting lineup at right-back. The stalling of negotiations with Gaaei isn’t just about sporting merit - it’s about budget, squad balance, and tactical fit. Krösche is pushing for a leaner squad to avoid triple fixture congestion, targeting 17 senior players plus three academy talents. That number won’t be hit this summer, but the direction is set.
The defensive spine is expected to feature Baum and Kosugi as the two full-backs, with Theate and Collins operating as hybrid centre-backs. But nothing is fixed. Theate could leave, while Parker is being eyed as a defensive midfielder option. That would give Glasner flexibility without overloading the roster.
The Gaaei gamble: Why Frankfurt is betting on Baum
The pause in talks with Gaaei is as much financial as tactical. Baum, signed for €12 million in summer 2025, is now viewed as the long-term solution at right-back - at least as backup to Knauff. Krösche’s transfer model relies on developing players who can be sold for €50 million within two years. Baum fits that profile: young, adaptable, and already embedded in the team.
Yet the defensive picture remains incomplete. With Baum at right-back and Knauff deployed there, Frankfurt could line up in a five-back system. But the left side lacks a reliable centre-back. Theate and Collins are options, but both face uncertain futures. Internal candidates like Scheller and Maluze are still auditioning for senior roles.
Tactical fallout: 3-5-2 or 5-3-2?
Glasner has shown flexibility in formation. A three-at-the-back setup with Baum as right wing-back and Lindström in front of defence was trialled in pre-season. But match reality may differ: Knauff as right-back in the Europa League, Baum as his direct rival. Left-back remains a question mark - either Theate or a new signing will need to step up.
Baum’s greatest asset is his delivery from deep runs - a skill harder to replicate on the left flank. That makes him ideal for a right-back role in a five-back system. But depth is a concern. With only two dedicated full-backs and four centre-backs, rotation could become dangerously thin.
What’s next? Transfer targets and internal options
Frankfurt still has room to manoeuvre. Parker could arrive as a centre-back or defensive midfielder, while a left-sided centre-back remains a priority. Talks with Gaaei aren’t dead - but priorities have shifted.
Internal solutions exist. Maluze has already signed a professional contract, while Scheller fights for minutes. The defensive rebuild is still a work in progress, especially after Collins’ departure in winter 2026. Glasner must finalise his backline before the season kicks off - or risk gaps in the defensive line.
And then there’s Knauff: the last remaining player from Eintracht’s 2022 Europa League-winning final XI. His role on the right is secure - but only as Baum’s understudy. This season, Frankfurt’s title hopes may hinge on who fills the defensive void.
