Despite nightmare season, HSV captain? Latest on Poulsen | OneFootball

Many fans were quite surprised at the time. When Yussuf Poulsen moved from RB Leipzig to HSV last summer, he was immediately given the captain’s armband.

Expectations of the veteran were high: with his experience, his intensity off the ball, and his leadership qualities, he was supposed to lead the newly promoted Bundesliga side on and off the pitch. But the 32-year-old was only able to do that to a limited extent. Instead, he endured a truly injury-plagued season.

Time and again, Poulsen was held back by injuries. In the end, he managed just 321 Bundesliga minutes, one start, and 14 appearances off the bench. His sporting highlight remained the decisive goal in the 3-2 derby win against Werder Bremen. Because the striker was often only able to lead the team away from the pitch, the question of his future as captain is now also being raised ahead of his second HSV season.

HSV wants to make captain decision “early”

However, no decision has been made yet. Coach Merlin Polzin was initially cautious. “We haven’t talked about it at all yet,” Mopo quotes the HSV coach as saying. At the same time, the 35-year-old stressed that the issue should not be put off for too long: “Of course it’s important that it happens early, so the leadership roles can be clearly assigned to the guys who take on a lot of responsibility.”

Photo: IMAGO

In Poulsen’s favor is the fact that he has been one of the standout performers in what is admittedly still a very early preseason. At the training camp in Helsingør, he has taken part in all sessions, led the way with high intensity, and visibly taken on responsibility. Polzin has also noted the development with satisfaction: “He’s fully involved, has been able to take part in everything so far, and is very positive. He’s full of energy and is really eager for a season with more starts than he had last season.”

Former HSV sporting director Frank Arnesen also still believes in his fellow Dane. Poulsen is a “fantastic guy” and a “great team player.” However, his fitness is the key factor. “You have to be able to play. If you’re injured, you have a different standing. That also applies in the dressing room,” Arnesen told Mopo.

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