Shortly before the start of the season, RB Leipzig faces an unusual task: The team has too few Germans in its squad. Meanwhile, Timo Werner, of all Germans, could leave the club. Ralf Rangnick no longer has any influence. Here you can find all news and rumours about RB Leipzig.
RB Leipzig is facing an unusual task shortly before the start of the season. The squad still has to be replenished with German players. Until the first compulsory match of the season, the Bundesliga clubs must have twelve German professionals at their disposal – but currently there are only eleven of them in the squad. It was only on Tuesday evening that Talent Tim Schreiber was given a professional contract.
However, improvements are still needed. Because Slovakian Kevin Kampl no longer expects naturalisation until the start of the season, at least one German player must still be engaged. The alternative: Another talent is turned into a professional.
Should German players still leave the club, they would have to be increased accordingly. Of all 18 Bundesliga clubs, RB Leipzig is the only team that has a problem with this regulation of the DFL. Leipzig still has time until 11 August, when the DFB Cup match at the VfL Osnabrück will take place.
RB Leipzig wants to finally clarify Timo Werner’s personal situation. Oliver Mintzlaff emphasized this to SportBild. “Of course, we would like to get rid of the case as soon as possible, because it was and is very intensive for everyone involved. We’ve been talking for almost a year about what’s happening with Timo Werner,” said the managing director.
Werner’s contract expires in summer 2020, RB would like to extend it with him or hand it over in the open transfer window until September 2. But if it were to go into a last year together, that wouldn’t be a big problem: “If it comes like this, then it’s just like that. Timo Werner would then continue to be an important part of RB Leipzig.”
So far FC Bayern seemed to be the designated goal of the player. Mintzlaff tried to put pressure on the record champion: “If Timo didn’t extend, we would like to get a replacement. There are numerous interested parties. Top international clubs have also asked.”
Oliver Mintzlaff has made a very positive statement about the current RB Leizpigs squad. “I think we have the best squad we’ve ever had. Every player has evolved, we’ve invested heavily and strengthened the team significantly.”
Nevertheless, the managing director did not aim for the championship: “We would like to be in the international business for the fourth time in a row, preferably in the Champions League again”.
However, the pressure on new trainer Julian Nagelsmann and new sports director Markus Krösche would not be enormous, emphasized Mintzlaff. He is aware that synergies must first be created. The trust is great, as Ralf Rangnick’s retreat proves: “He is an external consultant and has no operational influence”.
