VfB Stuttgart’s Promising Season and Transfer Prospects

This installment of our 18 Bundesliga transfer primers on Get German Football News focuses on VfB Stuttgart. The team is currently situated precisely where the author anticipated at the season’s outset.

Stuttgart has garnered significant praise following their impressive performance, securing a spot in the Europa League.

The Swabians have experienced an outstanding autumn, and VfB fans are surely celebrating. As the reigning DFB Pokal champions, Stuttgart has been performing admirably in all three competitions, bolstered by a strong roster. Reflecting on the concerns expressed by Sebastian Hoeneß during the final weekend of the transfer window, one can only chuckle. The VfB management has once again demonstrated its ability to effectively replace lost talent. The departures of Wataru Endo, Waldemar Anton, and Nick Woltemade have been seamlessly managed.

New arrivals have ensured that the memories of those who left have quickly faded. Even with key attackers like Deniz Undav and Ermedin Demirovic on long-term injury reserves, Stuttgart continues to thrive, surprising many by their current standing.

Predicted Table Position: 6th place
Actual Table Position: 6th place, 26 points
(8 Wins, 2 Draws, 5 Losses)
(+3 Goal Difference)

The five league losses occurred against Bayern München, RB Leipzig, Union Berlin, Hamburger SV, and Freiburg. Heavy defeats against top teams are understandable. However, the loss to Hamburg, despite having a numerical advantage, remains a tough pill to swallow.

Notably, Merlin Polizin’s Hamburg seized their opportunity in an inexplicable defeat for Stuttgart. Following two disappointing Europa League results, Undav rallied the team, showcasing his scoring ability and generating compelling stories. Stuttgart’s defense has solidified, successfully shutting out five opponents in the two months leading up to the break.

Recent Bundesliga matches against Bremen, Augsburg, and Dortmund are still fresh in memory, alongside a triumphant Pokal performance against Bochum and impressive UEL showings against Feyenoord, Denventer, and Maccabi Tel Aviv. Upcoming matches against Leverkusen present challenges, yet Stuttgart is well-prepared to recapture points lost earlier in the season.

Estimated Summer Transfer Balance: +€63.5 million.
The substantial funds acquired from Woltemade’s transfer remain largely untouched. The priority for Fabian Wohlgemuth and Christian Gentner is to secure the permanent signing of emerging Bundesliga star Bilal El Khannouss, whose impact on both the team and German football has been remarkable.

Similarly, young Chema Andres has impressed, displacing captain Atakan Karazor in midfield. The 20-year-old is a true gem. Record signing Lorenz Assignon has had a mixed performance, but concluded the year strongly in the Europa League with three consecutive games contributing to the score.

Former star Tiago Tomas returned to provide valuable intangibles, netting four goals across all competitions. While Badredine Bouanani may appear overshadowed by El Khannouss, he, like Assignon, has shown promise in the Europa League. Expectations remain high for both players in the new year, especially for Tomas due to his versatility.

The recent transfer class has effectively compensated for the losses of Woltemade and Enzo Millot. Key players like Chris Führich, Jamie Leweling, and Maxi Mittelstädt have rebounded at crucial moments. Prospects Noah Darvich and Lazar Jovanovic have yet to make a significant impact, but Darvich is excelling in VfB II, and Jovanovic’s situation may be resolved through a loan.

Regarding January transactions, recent reports indicate that Jovanovic is set for a developmental loan back to Red Star Belgrade, and a permanent deal for Jovan Milosevic to Partizan is imminent. The roster’s “dead weight” has shifted, with players like Bouanani and Nartey showing unexpected resurgence. Currently, only Yannik Keitel remains as the bona fide “dead weight” on the roster.

The fate of Nartey, who is one of three players with expiring contracts, remains uncertain, while veteran Pascal Stenzel is unlikely to renew. The ongoing situation with Dan-Axel Zagadou is becoming increasingly frustrating.

Current Dead-Weight Ledger:
– Leonidas Stergiou (RB)
– Yannik Keitel (DM)
– Noah Darvich (ATTM)
– Lazar Jovanovic (RW)

Expiring Contracts:
– Dan-Axel Zagadou (CB)
– Pascal Stenzel (RB)
– Nikolas Nartey (CM)

Finally, numerous rumors are circulating regarding Stuttgart’s January striker search. Interest in Nottingham Forest’s Arnaud Kalimuendo is intensifying, alongside younger prospects being pursued by the club. Most notably, it appears that the Swabians have secured a deal for Ecuadorian talent Jeremy Arévalo.

Potential Areas for Improvement:
– Left Back
– Attacking Midfielder
– Right Winger
– Center Forward

Rumored Targets:
– Gady Beyuku (RB)
– Mika Baur (CM)
– Cole Campbell (RW)
– Toni Fruk (ATTM)
– Chuki (ATTM)
– Milan Vukotic (ATTM)
– Jeremy Arévalo (CF)
– Promise David (CF)
– Romeo Vermant (CF)
– Arnaud Kalimuendo (CF)
– Rafiu Durosinmi (CF)

— Get German Football News | Peter Weis