No sooner has Finn Jeltsch secured a starting place on the right in central defense at VfB Stuttgart than he has to let others take precedence again. But who will replace the January newcomer in Kiel who is suspended for yellow? Ramon Hendriks, Ameen Al-Dakhil – or Luca Jaquez after all?
That’s what you call a successful start. Signed on February 3, Finn Jeltsch was already on the Stuttgart bench in Dortmund against Borussia (2-1) on February 8, getting a few final minutes against VfL Wolfsburg (2-1) on February 15 and starting in Hoffenheim against TSG (1-1) and most recently against FC Bayern (1-3). The U-17 World and European champion has quickly developed from a talented challenger to a candidate for the starting lineup.
“We didn’t get him because we want to build him up,” says Fabian Wohlgemuth, who doesn’t give the 18-year-old much time under the protective umbrella of puppy love. “Since Finn joined us, he has consistently done well, even in training.” Which has quickly helped the young professional. Also thanks to his career so far, as the sports director emphasizes. ‘He brought a portion of playing experience with him from Nuremberg.’
Not only that. Jeltsch also had four yellow cards under his belt. The defender received the fifth after a hard tackle on Munich’s Alphonso Davies in the defeat to Bayern Munich. Now the central defender is suspended for VfB’s crucial game at Holstein Kiel. Which raises the question: who will replace the former Nuremberg player? His colleague Luca Jaquez from FC Luzern, who was also transferred during the winter transfer period, is unlikely to be the answer. The Swiss player is currently suffering from an infection.
That leaves Ramon Hendriks and Ameen Al-Dakhil. The Dutchman replaced the Belgian in the center when he had to withdraw with a thigh injury against Borussia Mönchengladbach (1:2), and then took over the role of Anthony Rouault, who transferred to Stade Rennes. Since then, Hendriks has also started against Borussia Dortmund and against Wolfsburg. The 23-year-old made two solid appearances.
Not an easy decision for coach Sebastian Hoeneß, who was also able to welcome El Bilal Touré back into team training this week, alongside Al-Dakhil. The Mali international, who suffered a metatarsal fracture in the international match against Eswatini in November, is set to return to the squad.
