January 2025 Transfer Primer: SC Freiburg | OneFootball

SC Freiburg

Estimated Autumn Transfer Balance = +€1 million

After the legendary Christian Streich Era concluded on an unfortunate down note, homegrown gaffer Julian Schuster's solid start to his coaching career has many SCF enthusiasts (this one included) hoping that Breisgau can produce another "cult trainer". We'll obviously have to wait quite a long time to find this out. No head-coach enters the hallowed halls of "Christian Streich-Volker Finke Excellence" before first crossing the "Robin Dutt Threshold". At a minimum, Schuster faces three-and-a-half more years of scrutiny.

Schuster's Freiburg maintains a "Streich Feel" in that they work hard and keep matters unassuming in their post-match comments. Keeping matters as honest as possible, the Schuster SCF also follows up overachieving performances with total blank-out lapses too. Streich never exactly worked wonders, and that was indeed part of his endearing charm. Streich devotees now shift from focusing on the club he trained to - in all seriousness - the movement to get him to run for office. Yes, that's a thing.

Perhaps the biggest difference between the Streich and Schuster regime concerns the fact that Schuster relies more on the club veterans than his predecessor. The developmental nature of Breisgauer football appears on hold for now. With results mattering a bit more, one foresees an unusually active transfer window in Südbaden. Klemens Hartenbach and the club administrative team need to bring in some new talent in order to get back into Europe after the one-year-hiatus. Additions are coming.

Dead-Weight Ledger = Jordy Makengo (LB), Kiliann Sildillia (RB), Johan Manzambi (ADM), Florent Muslija (ATTM), Noah Weißhaupt (RW), Maximilian Philipp (AM)

Virtually all German footballing media sources now confirm that Noah Weißhaupt's move to St. Pauli is practically over the line. Highly promising young defender Kenneth Schmidt also receives a much-needed change of scenery. It appears that Kiliann Sildillia's rumored move to Wolfsburg is off for now, but securing a different loan deal for the young fullback shouldn't prove too problematic. One hopes to see Jordy Makengo and Johan Manzambi parked in locales that can assist in their development too. Outside interest in Florent Muslija and Maximilian Philipp appears doubtful.

Expiring contracts = Manuel Gulde (CB)

As one must note every year, Freiburg don't divulge the length of player contracts. The lack of hardcore journalists sleuthing about a club that doesn't generate big global interest means that the details of many player deals remains unknown. Such is also the case with Union Berlin. Some clubs, like Heidenheim, voluntarily disclose such information. Freiburg keep it characteristically quiet and no tabloid minions pressing the issue allow the to do so. Other players apart from Manuel Gulde (unlikely to renew) may be out of contract.

Further Needs =  LB, CB, DM, ATTM, AM, RW

The Fisnik Asllani and Rayan Philippe rumors seem to have some weight behind them. Much of the other names traded fall into the category of idle chatter. The town's proximity to France and Switzerland serves as an incredibly important factor in the way Freiburg recruit talents from the satellite leagues. A few targeted buys from local, easy-to-scout clubs often find their way to the Schwarzwald. Record profits - in large part thanks to the new stadium - and several prudent transfer windows give Hartenbach and his large scouting team plenty of options.

Rumored Links =  Terry Yegbe (CB), Santiago Casteneda (DM), Anthony Dennis (DM), Daniel Elfadli (DM), Steven Szymanski (ATTM), Fisnik Asllani (CF), Rayan Phillipe (CF)