Chief scout explains: why HSV didn't sign another centre-back | OneFootball

With the signings of Fabio Vieira, Zakaria El Ouahdi and David Möller Wolfe, HSV made three spectacular statements on Deadline Day.

Accordingly, the fans’ satisfaction was high after a transfer window that was generally rated very positively. However, one minor point of criticism among parts of the fan base remains the center-back position. After all, HSV lost two players there in defensive leader Luka Vuskovic and Daniel Elfadli. The only new arrival was Sebastiaan Bornauw. The club chose not to make any further signings – and apparently quite deliberately so.

HSV chief scout Sebastian Dirscherl explained in an interview with the Hamburger Abendblatt the reasoning behind that decision. According to him, those in charge wanted to keep the path clear for one of their own academy products. “When it comes to central defense, it’s mainly about Shafiq Nandja,” said Dirscherl. The 19-year-old had already shown “how much quality he has.” His development, he added, has been “very steady.”

For that reason, despite the personnel changes, Hamburg decided against making another transfer. “We deliberately didn’t do anything else because we want Shafiq to get playing time,” Dirscherl explained. HSV consciously wanted to give the talented defender the chance to establish himself permanently with the first team, rather than putting another new signing in front of him.

Photo: IMAGO

Vuskovic an “additional option” in HSV’s plans

Mario Vuskovic also plays a role in the club’s plans. The Croatian is on the verge of a comeback after a four-year doping ban and gives them another option in central defense. “Mario is, of course, an additional option in our planning,” Dirscherl emphasized. First and foremost, however, they are simply looking forward to the 24-year-old “being back soon.”

Alongside Nandja, HSV also have another promising center-back talent in Jason Bissi-Mouelle. The 18-year-old regularly got minutes with the first team during pre-season and made a solid impression. In the Bundesliga, however, he is likely to feature only sporadically at first. Still, with Bornauw, Jordan Torunarigha, vice-captain Nicolas Capaldo, the currently injured Warmed Omari, as well as Vuskovic and Nandja, those in charge believe they are well enough stocked in that area.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.