Currently just a substitute: Why Gocholeishvili is struggling at HSV | OneFootball

In the early phase of this season, Giorgi Gocholeishvilli was one of the biggest discoveries at HSV. Currently, however, the Georgian is having a tough time.

It took Gocholeishvilli just 86 Bundesliga minutes on August 24 to win over the HSV fans. On the first matchday, the summer newcomer was in the starting lineup against Borussia Mönchengladbach (0:0) and was one of the most noticeable players. A few minutes before the final whistle, the traveling supporters bid him farewell with thunderous applause.

Less than five months later, the situation has changed. It has become surprisingly quiet around Gocholeishvilli. After seven starts in the first eleven matchdays, the 24-year-old finds himself more and more often on the bench. In the last five matches, he was only in the starting lineup once. And that was in the clear 1:4 defeat against TSG Hoffenheim, when Gocholeishvilli was substituted after 45 minutes.

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So what happened? With the exception of the aforementioned match in Sinsheim, the right-back, who remains extremely popular with the fans, has seemingly done little wrong at first glance.

Coach Merlin Polzin attributes his protégé's reduced role mainly to two factors. Firstly, there's the competition. "We have William Mikelbrencis, Bakery Jatta, and him, three guys who can play the position on the right flank," explained Polzin. "All three have different profiles, and depending on the game, different profiles will be required."

Nevertheless, the HSV coach gave Gocholeishvilli a specific suggestion for improvement. "For Giorgi, the goal threat in the first half of the season was expandable," said Polzin. Indeed, the Donetsk loanee is still waiting for a scorer point in the Rothosen jersey.

Despite this, he continues to be highly valued within the team. "He is very intense," Polzin continued, giving the industrious Georgian hope for a chance soon. Gocholeishvilli might make it back into the starting lineup against Gladbach. Against the very team, he had such a promising start to his HSV career back in August.

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