Another success story for the Frankfurt finishing school
Are Eintracht Frankfurt the new Dortmund?
Hugo Ekitike is the latest product of Frankfurt’s astute recruitment strategy.
Author | Ed
While not exactly an unknown when he arrived on loan in early 2024, his career had stalled somewhat. He was previously on the radar of several clubs, including Newcastle United, during his early breakthrough at Reims.
Instead, Ekitike opted to join Paris Saint-Germain, but struggled to make an impact in a squad stacked with attacking talent. Frankfurt saw an opportunity and made his move permanent a year ago.
Under head coach Dino Toppmöller, Ekitike featured both as a lone forward and in a front two. In the first half of last season, he formed a potent strike partnership with Omar Marmoush. The duo caused problems for defences across the Bundesliga before being separated in January, when Manchester City signed Marmoush for £63m.
youtu.be/TlOGePvmvks?... Liverpool have signed a talented. More reaction to come
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Frankfurt chose not to bring in a direct replacement and instead altered their shape. Ekitike then led the line with two attacking midfielders supporting him.
What sets Ekitike apart is his flexibility. He is not restricted to poaching inside the box and showed fluency in switching positions when playing alongside Marmoush. Although not the most explosive forward, he beats defenders with intelligent movement and subtle touches.
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His understanding of the tactical side of the game is one of his standout traits. It extends beyond attacking patterns to include his ability to lead the press, whether high up the pitch or from a more withdrawn position.
Building a reputation for developing young players
Eintracht Frankfurt is well-known for its ability to identify and develop young players. The club often sells these players to larger teams for a profit, all while maintaining a competitive level of success. This strategy is a crucial aspect of their business model, enabling them to compete with wealthier clubs in the transfer market.
As a club, they emphasise a balance between youth and experience, understanding the importance of both in creating a successful team. It will be interesting to see if they can carry on developing these more young players and if they can gain more success on the pitch.
