Eintracht Frankfurt coach Adi Hütter has openly addressed the obvious gaps in his squad following another pre-season friendly. Hütter stated this week that the squad does not yet match his vision, identifying a centre-back, at least one full-back, and a striker as urgent needs before the transfer window closes.
Which players could still leave the club?
Several professionals remain in focus for potential departures. This includes French striker Elye Wahi and Belgian centre-back Arthur Theate, for whom the club hopes to receive a double-digit million fee each. Hütter commented on the situation, saying, "They are squad players. We've spoken with the lads, they are with us for now." Niels Nkounkou, Ellyes Skhiri, Noel Futkeu, and Michy Batshuayi are also linked with moves away, while Jessic Ngankam is sidelined with an injury. Eintracht must account for these potential exits in their planning to maintain squad depth.
Where did the test against Hull City reveal weaknesses?
The 2:0 friendly win against English Premier League side Hull City highlighted several areas of concern. On the left defensive flank, Keita Kosugi played poorly, with Hütter noting he has "played better." Elias Baum was average on the right. In central defence, youth player Julian Etse made several mistakes in the starting lineup. In attack, Younes Ebnoutalib looked unfortunate alongside Jonathan Burkardt, and Ansgar Knauff had to fill in as an emergency right-back. These observations underscore the need for action in both defence and attack. The current team composition is visible in our squad overview.
Which players made a positive impression?
Despite the criticism, there were also positives. Goalkeeper Kaua Santos set up the first goal for Jonathan Burkardt with a long throw. The second goal was scored by Swedish midfielder Love Arrhov with a spectacular effort. Arrhov made a refreshing impression overall, leading Hütter to see "absolutely no reason" for a loan move. However, competition for his positions is fierce with Can Uzun, Ritsu Doan, Mario Götze, Ayoube Amaimouni-Echghouyab, and Fares Chaibi. His development will be a storyline to watch.
What's next for Eintracht Frankfurt?
Pre-season continues with a local derby against FSV Frankfurt on Wednesday. Simultaneously, sporting director Markus Krösche and Hütter are working intensively on finalising the squad. Hütter emphasised the "close exchange" with the club's leadership. His footballing ideal is clear: he wants the team to "play forward more often and faster" and establish themselves more in the opponent's half. The remaining time before the season starts will be used for crucial personnel decisions. The upcoming competitive fixtures are listed on our fixtures page, and team statistics can be followed on the stats page.
