When RB Leipzig offered Dani Olmo to Barcelona, they misplaced their finest participant, the person whose hat-trick had received them final 12 months’s German Supercup earlier than occurring to star for Spain at Euro 2024. However they gained extra than simply cash from his departure.
Marcel Schafer, Leipzig’s new sporting director, talks of Olmo’s sale “confirming the philosophy” and it’s simple to grasp what he means. Olmo signed at 21, spent four-and-a-half seasons with the membership, successful three trophies, earlier than being offered for a revenue.
His shirt has been handed to Norwegian teenager Antonio Nusa, a precocious expertise introduced in from Membership Brugge. Nusa scored the successful aim on his Bundesliga debut towards Bochum final month. At Leipzig, simply as they deliberate it, the cycle continues.
Requested by Sky Sports activities if the Olmo instance helps to persuade Nusa and others, Schafer agrees. “It is not only Dani Olmo. It is Josko Gvardiol, Dominik Szoboszlai, Christopher Nkunku and many more examples who were at Leipzig for a certain time,” he explains.
“Gamers undoubtedly wish to come to Leipzig. They see big potential. Six years in a row, the membership has performed within the Champions League, all the time with a really younger workforce. It’s a excellent membership, not solely in Germany, even in the entire of Europe, for prime younger skills.
RB Leipzig sporting director Marcel Schafer explains the membership’s philosophy
“We’re not unhappy about it, we’re blissful to carry Dani to his finest stage. Everybody noticed it in the summertime. He was completely the most effective gamers, a key participant for Spain, excellent moments within the match. And now we can assist him go to Barcelona.
“This is exactly what Antonio Nusa and others see. It is not really a big thing to convince them because they know through Leipzig’s history that we are the perfect club to help them for a certain time in their career and then bring them to the absolute top clubs.”
These others embrace Arthur Vermeeren, a 19-year-old midfielder from Atletico Madrid and Lutsharel Geertruida, a title winner underneath Arne Slot at Feyenoord, who’s one thing of an outlier on the age of 24. In Leipzig phrases, that qualifies him as virtually a veteran.
“The strategy is to sign young, hungry, high potential players, but we even need players who have a little bit more experience, who help us to support the young players, especially on the pitch and even in the locker room, to help them to grow and to learn.”
It’s a technique that has been refined over years now. “We always want young and hungry players because this is a philosophy.” Olmo, Gvardiol, Szoboszlai and Nkunku have moved on however Europe’s largest golf equipment know the place the following superstars are coming from.
RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko has signed a brand new contract with the membership
Lois Openda had a powerful first season at Leipzig, scoring 28 objectives. There may be Benjamin Sesko, the Slovenian striker who stunned some by signing a brand new contract. Xavi Simons has returned for a second season on mortgage from Paris Saint-Germain.
“Xavi Simons was like Dani Olmo, one of the best players in Europe and one of the high potential stars of last summer. But he was very clear about his personal career plan. He wants to be a key player. He wants to be a leader to help him take the next step.”
All of which helps to elucidate why gamers are so eager to affix. Champions League alternatives for younger gamers are to be cherished. Leipzig present that platform. However the query of how they develop the gamers as soon as within the constructing is simply as vital.
“The most important part, if you want to work to develop young players every single day, is that you need a very good infrastructure,” says Schafer. “We have it. If you see our infrastructure here, the pitches, the training facility, it is really on a high level.”
He continues: “The second most important part is a good coaching staff and we have a very good head coach in Marco Rose.” The previous Borussia Dortmund boss has received silverware in every of his first two seasons, whereas qualifying for the Champions League.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Leverkusen’s unbeaten Bundesliga run lastly got here to an finish as they misplaced to Leipzig
“It is not only the head coach, it is the people around the team, our medical staff, our athletic team, even the cooks who prepare the meals and handle the players’ nutrition. We have experts around the players to help them every single day to become better.”
If there’s a concern, it’s the chance that Leipzig’s mannequin has turn out to be so profitable that others are searching for to emulate it. From the taking part in fashion to the multi-club construction, even the broader development of investing in youth has turn out to be de rigueur. Schafer is relaxed.
“I think we have an advantage because we confirmed the philosophy for really several years. You will not find many clubs who produce or develop more top young talents than Leipzig and the other Red Bull clubs. So I think still we have a good advantage.”
Stay Bundesliga
Sunday twenty second September 6:30pm
Schafer, who spent 17 years at Wolfsburg earlier than making this transfer, is clearly relishing his new position. “Every single day I wake up with a smile even if it is sometimes raining a lot. It is a privilege to work in such a great environment.” However there are nonetheless questions.
Leipzig would like to carry by means of a participant of their very own from the academy relatively than depend on their outstanding recruitment. After which there’s that perennial matter of progress. Is the plan all the time to promote the celebs? Might they not hold them and win all of it?
“We are realistic,” provides Schafer. ” We are all convinced there is the possibility to compete with very good teams in all competitions, even the Champions League. But there are maybe 10 more clubs in Europe who we know are maybe above us.”
For now, the plan is to stay to the plan. “All the top young talents consider Leipzig. They have Leipzig in their focus.” Like Olmo, these gamers are sure for the highest. Whether or not they are going to in the future nonetheless be carrying a Leipzig shirt once they get there, stay unclear.
Watch St Pauli vs RB Leipzig reside on Sky Sports activities Soccer this Sunday; kick-off 6.30pm
