‘It wasn’t an easy year for him’ – Fritz on Mbangula’s first season at Bremen | OneFootball

Samuel Mbangula (22) joined Werder Bremen from Juventus for €10m last summer, but the Belgian attacker hasn’t lived up to expectation. Starting just 12 of his 29 Bundesliga appearances, the 22-year-old returned three goals and four assists but has registered just one goal contribution in 2026.

In an interview with Kicker, Klaus Filbry, chairman of the management board, stated that Mbangula, the club’s second-highest outlay, has not yet justified his transfer fee. “Last year we invested a lot of money in a player who we still believe will develop positively,” he explained. “It’s also clear that Samuel Mbangula’s first season did not meet our or his expectations.”

Two of Mbangula’s four assists came against Borussia Mönchengladbach in September while his three Bundesliga goals came in the first three matchdays.

“It certainly wasn’t an easy year for him,” explained sporting director Clemens Fritz. “With a move like that from abroad, it can take time to settle in. Nevertheless, we see a lot of potential in him.

“We are convinced that we can continue to develop him.”

The Green-Whites finished the season in 15th, three points adrift of the relegation play-off.

GGFN | Daniel Pinder