At 16 on course for the top flight? Polzin on HSV talent Lemke | OneFootball

Louis Lemke is taking his chance. The HSV’s youngest outfield player has impressively moved into the spotlight during the team’s preseason so far.

More than that: the 16-year-old left-footer logged the most minutes of all players in the friendlies against Rapid Vienna (2:3) and 1. FC Heidenheim (3:1). In doing so, he made a flawless impression.

The fact that Lemke is currently getting so much playing time is also linked to the squad situation. Regular starter Miro Muheim is still on post-World Cup vacation, and there are no further alternatives on the left flank following Noah Katterbach’s departure. However, HSV coach Merlin Polzin made it clear that the youngster’s minutes are by no means only due to the thin squad depth. “When it comes to the training sessions and the intensity, Louis has done really well,” Polzin praised the youngster. His physical condition in particular had made an impression: “He is in top shape, always right at the front.”

Photo: IMAGO

Polzin urges patience with HSV talent Lemke

The Hamburg native’s development has been remarkable anyway. Only last autumn did Lemke begin training regularly with the senior team for the first time. Shortly afterward, he made his debut for the U21s, broke into the Bundesliga squad, and in the home match against SC Freiburg (3:2) became the youngest Bundesliga player in HSV history.

Despite this positive development, Polzin is urging patience. The coach wants no part of premature hype surrounding the homegrown talent. “For me, the main thing right now is that he makes the step from youth football into the senior game,” explained the 35-year-old. Lemke has already impressed in the Regionalliga and now also with the pros, but the rule still applies: “He is 16 years old. We don’t want to create any hype around him.”

In the meantime, the teenager is getting support from Nicolai Remberg. The midfield leader revealed during the training camp that he had taken Lemke on “as a little project” and was accompanying him in extra running and strength sessions. Among other things, that support is likely to help ensure that the newly promoted HSV side also includes him in the starting lineup for the Volkspark festival against Everton FC next Saturday (1 August).

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