Only 25 minutes of operation
©IMAGO
In the summer, Eintracht Frankfurt paid 11 million euros to 1. FC Nuremberg for the services of Can Uzun. The 18-year-old midfielder was one of the key figures in the 2. Bundesliga, scoring 16 goals in 30 matches. So far, he has only made three brief appearances for the SGE jersey, and for the Turkish national team he sat on the bench for 90 minutes in the Nations League against Wales and Iceland. SGE sports director Timmo Hardung has now called for patience with the young Uzun.
“We know that when we bring in young players with potential, the jump to the Bundesliga is very big. It’s completely normal that it’s difficult at first,” said Hardung about Uzun (quoted via “Bild”), who has so far played 25 minutes in the top flight. The transfer fee paid made the attacking midfielder the sixth most expensive new signing in the club’s history and the most expensive teenager. Hardung believes that those responsible at Eintracht have a duty to help him develop. “It’s up to us to give him the security that we don’t see this as a disappointment, but that we are still convinced of his quality.”
There is a lot of competition in Uzun’s position. With Farès Chaïbi, world champion Mario Götze and talented Krisztián Lisztes, there are three other offensive midfielders in Dino Toppmöller’s team. In addition, depending on the system, the new signing will have to compete with Ansgar Knauff and Omar Marmoush. Hardung believes in Uzun’s quality and believes he can make the leap to becoming a regular player: “He can develop into that in the near future if he works hard and believes in himself. It can happen to young players that they start to struggle – that must never happen. Because then you get into a negative spiral.”
Uzun is one of five 18-year-olds who have played in the Bundesliga this season. While Bayern loanee Paul Wanner impressed with two goals and an assist for league leaders Heidenheim, Bruno Ogbus, U17 world champion Max Moerstedt and Wolfsburg newcomer Bence Dárdai have played a total of 28 minutes. Assan Ouédraogo, who came to RB Leipzig from FC Schalke for 10 million euros, must still wait for his Bundesliga debut due to a knee injury.
