I finally came back to survey the damage. They've burned it to the ground and scattered the ashes. It took me a while to figure out what happened to Ginczek (back in training 8/15, maybe). I'll just have to watch this barely recognizable team until I know the names and numbers again. Gonna miss Harnik (H96) and Kostic (HSV). Can these new guys get us a top 4 finish? I have no idea.
Welcome back! Don't be a stranger! It'll be curious to see how this team shakes out with the blend of old and new, and a couple (Hosogai & Werner) are both! They got off to a good start, winning against St. Pauli, but were nervy doing it. Hopefully they'll pick up all 3 points against Fortuna as well.
Here's an attacker from Japan, on loan from Arsenal: http://www.stuttgarter-nachrichten....vfb.b14cf1e5-ff6b-4cc1-9087-fc99146cd4c5.html
Asano provides an alternate style of forward option and brings some versatility to this team. He's more mobile and agile, compared to Terrodde and Ginczek who fit the traditional targetman mould of striker. Additionally, Asano can drop back a bit and play as a supporting secondary striker. There's also reports of winger Carlos Mane from Sporting CP, and central defender Benjamin Pavard from Lille being close to completion. http://m.bild.de/sport/fussball/vfb-stuttgart/plant-doppel-transfer-47541302.bildMobile.html
If you follow the USNT threads, you'll be familiar with this fellow: 811339606813773824 is not a valid tweet id I wonder which position he would play at VFB, forward or winger?
Stephen Sama has transferred out to SpVgg Greuther Fürth. VfB II player Max Besuschkow (19 y.o.) is transferring out to Eintracht Frankfurt. There is discussion of other players leaving, but nothing definite, as of this moment: http://www.stuttgarter-nachrichten....ker.b7038be5-5c2a-4ae0-a80d-3eac33dba087.html
Philip Heise was sold to Dynamo Dresden, a direct competitor in the B2, for 100K €. http://www.stuttgarter-nachrichten....den.bac928e2-75df-4fb8-bc6c-b7f9d78447e1.html
Per the Stuttgarter Nachrichten, it would appear that Boris Taschy has nixed his transfer to FC Erzgebirge Aue. He would prefer Armenia Bielefeld, but it appears that AB have acquired another player similar to him. Will he stay, or will he go? Per Google Translate:
Also per the Stuttgarter Nachrichten, Hannes Wolf has his eyes on a BVB player, Mikel Merino. Per Google Translate:
Now that they are in the B2 I haven't been able to keep up as well. What is the reason for the players leaving in the January window?
I think the new(ish) coach, Hannes Wolf, probably isn't as keen on some of the players he inherited, after he's worked with them a bit. And if they're not going to play, they don't want to stick around and warm the bench.
Toni Sunjic has finally transferred out to US Palermo. He goes on loan through the end of the season, and US Palermo have the option to buy. http://www.stuttgarter-nachrichten....ker.b7038be5-5c2a-4ae0-a80d-3eac33dba087.html
Three players transferred in, all in their 20s, the last one got in just under the wire: https://translate.googleusercontent...ofori/&usg=ALkJrhgEfRHURvw1Bxs3YpU90LkhMCZdIA https://translate.googleusercontent...ekalo/&usg=ALkJrhgQdzPXKpVjLETD11tWpTvoztSXWQ https://translate.googleusercontent...guene/&usg=ALkJrhhhmL2oQYgK_IGKp77RP_MPXf4Wxg
Here's a Google-translated article from the Stuttgarter Nachrichten about the three signees: https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http://www.stuttgarter-nachrichten.de/inhalt.die-vfb-neuzugaenge-im-portraet-vfb-dreierpack-koenigstransfer-wunderkind-linksfuss.eefb7117-f4f1-4d60-a995-b314a5204797.html&edit-text=&act=url
Darn, I forgot Asano was a loan. Brekalo looked like a quality reinforcement against Düsseldorf. I assume the other two are prospects.
OK, not officially a transfer, but Kevin Grosskreutz is out of the team due to off-the-field shenanigans. I can't say that I saw this coming, though he has been involved in shenanigans at other places. It's too bad, since he is a good player, and a real fan favorite.
I think that he was out drinking with under-age youth-players on Fasching, then got in a fight with some local toughs outside a bar. It is still unclear to me what happened with the youth-players. Were they also drunk? Did any of them get beat up, too? Even if the answer is no to both questions, the club just can't let that kind of behavior go on. Parents wouldn't want their kids going to any team/academy that's going to let older (and supposedly wiser) players lead their under-age kids into trouble.
http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2017/03/03/kevin-grosskreutz-stuttgart-cut-fighting-germany Kevin has a history of getting drunk and doing stupid shit
I know very little about this. I do know it took place at Perkins Park, a collection of clubs that is THE place to be seen in Stuttgart if you are trendy and looking to be seen. There are dress codes and high prices. A guy in his late twenties getting in brawls in clubs where the local beautiful people hang out? Not cool. Having minors with you and involved!? You GOTTA go.
Looks like Mané had major surgery. He'll be out for six months, minimum. I suppose that's the last time he'll appear for us. Sorry Sporting CP, we broke your loan.