Mainz’s Nadiem Amiri tips young striker Ben Bobzien for breakout Bundesliga campaign | OneFootball

Mainz 05’s vice captain has an “insider tip” to share ahead of the forthcoming Bundesliga campaign. Mainz’s Nadiem Amiri has high praise for the potential of 22-year-old Ben Bobzien, who recently returned from a successful loan stint with SK Austria Klagenfurt and signed a lucrative contract extension with Mainz this summer.

Bobzien’s potential may be the very reason Mainz haven’t concerned themselves with finding a direct replacement for the departed Jonathan Burkardt this summer. Whilst denying interest in his Danish compatriot William Bøving, Mainz head coach Bo Henriksen declared himself completely content with the players he already had on his squad.

Bobzien – after scoring nine goals in 31 Austrian Bundesliga appearances during his recent loan – may be poised to follow in the footsteps of his club teammates Nelson Weiper and Paul Nebel. The Gießen-native may not yet have represented his country at youth level, or indeed even made a Mainz senior appearance, but Amiri believes that can change.

“He’s an insider tip for a fantasy game,” Amiri told Kicker after a recent pre-season friendly in which Bobzien served him up a quality assist, “but only from January [2025] on because he still needs a little time.”

Bobzien has thus far netted two early goals in Mainz’s four pre-season friendlies. Both have come early in proceedings. Henriksen has tried Bobzien out on the right-hand side of an attacking trident featuring Benedict Hollerbach and Arnaud Nordin. On other occasions, he’s worked in Nebel’s position in attacking midfield. Bobzien appears most at home as an eight in the half spaces behind a single striker.

“I accept competition,” Bobzien told Kicker after the most recent friendly, adding of Nebel. “I don’t see him as a role model per se, because ultimately every player has to find their own way. But it’s good to see how Paul and other players who have come through the youth system are making their mark at the top.“

Bobzien himself could still be in line for another loan out this season, though the Rheinhessen don’t necessarily need to reduce their current 30-man-squad. Nebel benefitted immensely from an extended 2. Bundesliga loan with Karlsruher SC, returning after two years in the second division to score 10 top flight goals last year.

Bobzien has thus far been loaned out thrice by his parent club. He worked in the Austrian with Lustenau during the 2023/24 season. Bobzien also spent the second half of the 2022/23 on loan with SV Elversberg in the 3. Liga. He managed one assist in 14 German third division appearances.

GGFN | Peter Weis