This Sunday marks the beginning of a new era at SC Freiburg. At 11 a.m., Julian Schuster, Christian Streich’s successor, will be attending the first training session. Without a few missing professionals, but with three new players – and a returning player for whom SC once paid a hefty transfer fee.
In focus at SC Freiburg: Hugo Siquet. imago images
The sum is impressive. During the 2021/22 winter break, SC Freiburg paid 4.5 million euros to Standard Liège for a then 19-year-old talent. Hugo Siquet is already a Belgian U-21 international, regularly plays in his home country’s elite class and is expected to strengthen the right side of the Sport-Club. The rather slim 1.80-meter man impresses above all with his good crosses. Ideal position: wing player in front of a three-man chain.
A year later, however, the player and the club have to admit that Siquet hardly ever makes an impact on the pitch and the investment has not even come close to paying off. In twelve months, Christian Streich’s team has only made three substitutions in the league and one start in the Europa League as part of a major rotation in the duel against Qarabag Agdam.
Siquet cannot get past his more defensively strong rivals Lukas Kübler and Kiliann Sildillia on the right side of defence. The ambitious talent, who is already talking about the difficulties of his role after just six months, sees the six appearances with the U23s in the 3rd division as more of a demotion than as valuable practice.
Last 51 games for Cercle Brugge – Doan as a strong, new competitor
The result: In January 2023, Siquet will “escape” back home. At loan club Cercle Brugge, he will get the match practice he has been longing for. But after 51 games in one and a half years, the question is now again: persevere in Freiburg or leave, perhaps for good?
“He has to face the competition and assert himself,” says sports director Klemens Hartenbach about the player, who is now more experienced and whom he still values very highly. Kübler and Sildillia are still there, however, and Japanese international Ritsu Doan, who has recently been used frequently as a right-wing player, has joined as a new rival and undoubtedly represents a higher level overall.
Is it enough defensively and will Siquet give himself time under Schuster?
The key questions remain: Is Siquet up to the defensive demands of the Bundesliga? And is he giving himself time to prove himself under new coach Julian Schuster? “It was a bit too early for Hugo at the first attempt,” Hartenbach admits in retrospect: “But now there is a new coach, the cards are being reshuffled, and that is also an opportunity for Hugo.”
Hartenbach is aware of the strong competition, but has not written off the young Belgian and hopes that he will stick around even if he is not the first choice again, which is not unlikely: “He behaved very correctly during his loan, kept in touch and visited us, for example at the game in Lens in the Europa League.”
Sildillia, Doan and Co. are missing for the opening match
Siquet is expected to start training this Sunday at the Europa-Park Stadium (11 a.m.) and, at least initially, will have more room to promote himself in the absence of Sildillia (Olympia) and Doan (extended vacation after June international matches). Depending on how the preparations go, a transfer for Siquet could become an issue again by the end of the transfer period.
Apart from Sildillia and Doan, other professionals are missing for Schuster’s start. First and foremost the European Championship participants Philipp Lienhart, Michael Gregoritsch (Austria) and Rolland Sallai (Hungary) as well as Florent Muslija (international match in June). The convalescents Matthias Ginter (after Achilles tendon surgery) and Daniel-Kofi Kyereh (recovery after cruciate ligament tear) are not yet able to take part in team training.
In addition to Schuster’s premiere in his new position, external summer signings Eren Dinkci, Patrick Osterhage and Jannik Huth will also be presenting themselves for the first time at public training in the SC dress.
2024-07-07 07:23:33
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