From Augsburg to Bordeaux, from Bochum to Valencia
“We fought hard for every single individual, whether they were or a new signing or a departing player,” said Fredi Bobic back in early September soon after the summer transfer window closed. Over the past four months or so, the new Herthaner have settled in well at the club, catching the eye on the pitch and giving us a taste for more. The managing director sport has described the newcomers as “players who are passionate about wearing the shirt”. What about the players who left the club back in the summer for a temporary spell away though? herthabsc.com has used the winter break to check in on our seven players who are out on loan.
A quartet has remained in the Bundesliga. The season couldn’t have started much worse for Jessic Ngankam at SpVgg Greuther Fürth, with the 21-year-old suffering a serious knee injury in the first preseason friendly. Since then, he’s been working on his comeback. “Jessic is doing his rehab in Berlin and we’re supporting him as much as possible. Hopefully he will be able to make a few appearances yet this season,” said Bobic. The homegrown Herthaner has exactly that in mind: “I’m giving my all to make that happen. My next goal is to be on the pitch a little more at the start of the year and do some work with the ball.”
Midfield rocks
After a shortened summer break courtesy of the U21 EUROs and the Olympics, Arne Maier has now got into his stride at FC Augsburg. The midfielder has made 14 appearances for FCA so far, assisting two goals. “Arne is a great lad that we’re continuing to monitor closely. It’s nice when you loan out a player and they get game time,” said Bobic on Maier, who can look back on a positive return to the Olympiastadion in the first half of the season, as well as a memorable home win against the league leaders. “The win over FC Bayern was a highlight, but it was still only three points. We need to keep working hard and I want to keep helping the team,” said the 22-year-old.
Another defensive midfielder enjoying a strong loan spell is Eduard Löwen. The right-footer, who was recently sidelined due to a Covid-19 infection, has featured twelve times for VfL Bochum this season, including in Hertha’s 3-1 away win on matchday 4. The 24-year-old, who was also part of Germany’s Olympics squad, has set up three goals so far. “I have always played when I’ve been fit and healthy. That’s my goal for the second half of the season too,” said Löwen. The managing director for football has had a close eye on him too, of course: “Edu is a very similar case to Arne. We’re delighted that he’s getting minutes,” said Bobic.
European experience for Lukébakio
Dodi Lukébakio was still wearing blue and white when Hertha and VfL Wolfsburg met earlier in the season, evening scoring the equaliser. Since then, he has made 13 Bundesliga appearances (3 assists) for the Wolves, as well as playing in all six of their UEFA Champions League group-phase games. “Playing European football has been an exciting experience for Dodi. Something like that is a good development for any footballer,” said Bobic. The 24-year-old Belgian wants to continue to pick up minutes in the new year: “It’s about finding consistency. I want to help the team do that with goals and good performances,” said Lukébakio.
Game time in France, Spain and the Netherlands
A trio of Hertha players have been getting used to playing in a new league. Javairô Dilrosun has made 15 appearances for Girondins Bordeaux in the French Ligue 1, assisting three goals. They currently sit in 17th place. "The transition was a bit difficult to begin with, but then I started to settle in. I am happy whenever I play and when I can help the team," said the 23-year-old. His compatriot Daishawn Redan has played on ten occasions for PEC Zwolle in the Dutch Eredivisie (two goals). The 20-year-old attacker's side currently occupy last place in the table. Omar Alderete is becoming a regular in FC Valencia's centre of defence. The 24-year-old has made 15 appearances, starting 14 of them and scoring once, but has recently been sidelined due to contracting Coronavirus. The 2001 Champions League finalists are fighting for European qualification this season. "Even the lads who aren't playing in the Bundesliga anymore are still very much on our radar," commented Bobic. One thing is certainly clear - it wasn't just our sporting management that fought to make these transfers happen in negotiations, but our players are also fighting and working hard for their loan clubs on the pitch.