Real Madrid, Arsenal or Bayern? German scouting expert assesses best fit and next move for Stuttgart's Finn Jeltsch | OneFootball

A year and a half after his €9.5 million move from 1. FC Nürnberg, 20-year-old Finn Jeltsch has established himself as a key player at the back for VfB Stuttgart.

After recently making his Champions League debut in a 3-1 win over Norwegian outfit Viking FK, another milestone could be just around the corner for Jeltsch, who has been handed his first Germany call-up by Jürgen Klopp for the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Serbia on Thursday and Greece on Sunday.

Amid his success on the pitch, speculation over Jeltsch's future has increased considerably in recent weeks, with Real Madrid, Arsenal and Bayern Munich among the European heavyweights linked with him. But what makes Jeltsch so appealing to top clubs across Europe?

Florian Först, a scouting expert at German football site Kickfieber.de, has been tracking the youngster for years and highlights the player's versatility, composure and mental strength as some of the qualities that make him stand out.

“Although the right-footer predominantly plays as a center-back in Stuttgart’s back three or back four, he can also step in as a right-back or defensive midfielder if needed. A key attribute enabling this flexibility is his composure,” Först told Bulinews.com.

“Even at the U17 World Championship [in 2023], Jeltsch impressed with his composed and calm playing style, which can quickly be passed on to his teammates. He approaches his tasks with great composure, whether in possession during the build-up phase or when defending. Moreover, he displays remarkable maturity and mental strength for someone so young; after all, this is already his fourth season as a professional footballer,” he added. 

A clever ball-player

As a defender, Jeltsch is a skilled passer and an intelligent tackler, making him a perfect fit for Sebastian Hoeness' possession-oriented style at VfB Stuttgart.

“In the young season, he boasts an impressive pass completion rate of over 90 percent, and his long balls also predominantly find their target. Yet Jeltsch does not merely shuffle the ball around; he is one of the league's best centre-backs when it comes to progressive passing, frequently playing bold balls into the final third. His clean technique forms the foundation for this, and driving forward with the ball before releasing it is also part of his repertoire,” Först explained.

“Defensively, Jeltsch stands out particularly for his game intelligence. When facing counter-attacks, the centre-back consistently anticipates opposition passes and nips them in the bud. He also excels in duels; last season, he won around 65 percent of his challenges and received only three bookings, reflecting a similarly low foul count. This clean style of play stems from his intelligent approach to duels and impeccable timing.”

However, as Först points out, neither Jeltsch nor Stuttgart have enjoyed a perfect start to the season, with the Champions League participants disappointingly sitting 15th in the Bundesliga after four games.

“Both VfB Stuttgart and Finn Jeltsch are experiencing some early-season struggles," Först explained.

"While his play with the ball is already back at a high level, his duel success rate has yet to match the figures he posted last season. He also needs to consistently elevate his aerial game; after all, he won only 45 percent of his aerial duels last term.” 

Why Arsenal could be a good fit

For Först, Jeltsch “undoubtedly” has the potential to become a regular starter for a top European club.

While the German scouting expert believes Bayern Munich have the best chance of signing the 20-year-old, he names Arsenal as a club that would suit his playing style well.

“Naturally, FC Bayern Munich are particularly keen to secure a young German international for the future. However, Bayern is far from the only interested party; Jeltsch’s style of play could also suit Arsenal,” Först explained, adding:

"Fundamentally, Jeltsch is best suited to a technically proficient team where he can showcase his ball-handling skills. Defensively, he brings a great deal to the table thanks to his measured, intelligent, yet aggressive tackling and his physical robustness. Furthermore, with a top speed of around 35 km/h, he could certainly hold his own in the Premier League, even if explosive acceleration over the first few meters is not among his greatest strengths.

“Even though Jeltsch might be a good fit for either club, a move to Munich is the most likely scenario. Finally, the future of Min-jae Kim and Hiroki Ito is constantly being discussed there; a role as the third central defender for the time being could become a possibility next summer. At Arsenal, and especially at Real Madrid, however, he would likely have to wait his turn.

“But regardless of who ultimately secure the services of this defensive gem, they will get one of the most exciting and still underestimated talents in Europe right now. Within just a few years, Jeltsch could develop into a top-tier European centre-back,” Först concluded.

According to reports, Stuttgart could demand up to €60 million to let Jeltsch leave in the summer.

Should the talented defender make his Germany debut against Serbia on Thursday, his suitors will certainly be watching closely.