There are 5 options: how HSV could replace Muheim! | OneFootball

HSV sporting director Claus Costa was visibly trying to spread at least a hint of optimism, despite the sobering news that Miro Muheim is likely to miss the rest of the season.

“Anyone who knows Miro knows that he will do everything he can to get back on the pitch as quickly as possible and be available right at the very end during the season run-in,” Costa said on Monday. However, nobody at the Volkspark is really expecting that. It was no coincidence that the Rothosen stated in their official press release that the 28-year-old is “expected to be out for the rest of the season.”

That means Merlin Polzin’s coaching staff will have to plan the remaining four weeks without one of their most-used players. Muheim has featured in 28 of a possible 30 matches so far, starting 27 of them. But with that number now likely to remain unchanged, the question is who the possible alternatives are. On paper at least, five different players could fill the vacant position on the left side of defense.

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William Mikelbrencis

The Frenchman, normally at home on the right flank, probably has the strongest case for a short-term switch in role. He has been a regular starter in the second half of the season and has impressed above all with his attacking impact. Four assists speak for themselves. Mikelbrencis has also occasionally filled in on the now-vacant left side of defense. He delivered a particularly strong performance there in the 2:2 draw against FC Bayern, where he and Muheim worked together against superstar Michael Olise. He remains vulnerable defensively, but is currently seen as the most likely solution. Bakery Jatta could then take over on the right.

Giorgi Gocholeishvili

The Georgian is also naturally a right-back and made a strong start to the season. He was in the starting lineup in five of the first six matches and initially looked nailed on. But a clear dip in form pushed him back over the course of the first half of the season. Since then, he has been used only sporadically. On one occasion — in the 0:1 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen — he was allowed to play on the left in the absence of the suspended Muheim. That performance, however, was anything but a convincing audition.

Fabio Baldé

Because of his pace and athleticism, Polzin tested the left winger a few weeks ago for the first time as a defensive wing-back. The coach had tried something similar with Jatta on the right side during the first half of the season. But the plan did not work out: Baldé was unable to prevent the 0:4 thrashing against VfB Stuttgart and was not even included in the squad for the northern derby a week later. It can now be almost completely ruled out that the Portuguese youth international will start again in the coming weeks.

Photo: Getty Images

Noah Katterbach

On paper, he would be the most logical solution. Katterbach is a natural left-back and was actually intended as Muheim’s backup. But the reality looks different: the 24-year-old has not played a single minute in the Bundesliga this season. According to the Hamburger Abendblatt, the coaching staff are particularly critical of his defensive weaknesses. However, this is reportedly not due to a lack of trust or personal differences. Even so, an appearance in the remaining matches is unlikely. Especially since the former Cologne player is expected to leave in the summer.

Louis Lemke

Perhaps the most surprising option is also the least likely. Lemke is only 16 years old and would still be eligible to play at U17 level. Since November 2025, however, the teenager has been allowed to feature for HSV’s U21 side and has made an excellent impression there. He is regarded as the club’s biggest current talent and is on the radar of numerous top clubs. He has even already made the Bundesliga matchday squad once. Further nominations in the coming weeks are certainly conceivable. But the idea of Polzin throwing the schoolboy into the ice-cold waters of a relegation battle is highly doubtful.

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