Shock for 1. FC Köln: Julian Pauli is out for a long time!

Shock for 1. FC Köln: Julian Pauli is out for a long time!

There is currently a lot to talk about at 1. FC Köln: U19 captain Julian Pauli injured his left ankle during the training camp in Bad Waltersdorf. While the exact diagnosis is still pending, the club fears that the young central defender could be out for a long period of time. This presents coach Lukas Kwasniok with a challenge that urgently requires reinforcements in central defense. The transfer pearls are also in sight to fill the gaps left by Pauli's loss. Image reports, that Kwasniok is looking for new players to set up a resilient defense.

The 20-year-old Pauli recently signed a professional contract with FC, which underlines his progress at the club. At the same time, he was brought in from Borussia Dortmund's youth team in 2021 and already played 23 games for the U19s last season. Sports director Christian Keller has always raved about Pauli's potential, which is now being put to a tough test. He is now being examined in Cologne while the club tries to find solutions to avoid getting into trouble.

Reinforcement on the transfer market

In view of the injury-related concerns about Pauli, FC is paying full attention to the transfer market. The top candidate for central defense is Ahmetcan Kaplan, who currently plays for Ajax Amsterdam. The Dutch club's demands are at least 6 million euros, while Cologne wants to offer a maximum of 5 million. The risk should not be underestimated, as Galatasaray Istanbul also has its eye on Kaplan. Picture points out that after Pauli's injury, Keller is now even more concerned with quick solutions.

Another potential newcomer is Calvin Brackelmann (25), who has a contract until 2026 and could be signed for around 2 million euros. Kwasniok knows Brackelmann from earlier times and could therefore have an affinity for this player. The urgency of signing a central defender is further increased by Pauli's condition, as FC wants to upgrade not only the central defense but also the left defense and the strikers.

The situation on the injured benches

The injury situation in the 1st Bundesliga has also affected other teams. Injuries are almost commonplace on the pitch, which makes this situation particularly tricky. Players like Immanuel Pherai and Daniel-Kofi Kyereh report their difficulties, while other clubs are also struggling to keep their squads fit. FC Köln is also on this list with Pauli's ankle injury, but at the same time they have one of the most exciting youth celebrities in their ranks who is still waiting for their opportunity.

In this climate of uncertainty and opportunity, those responsible at 1. FC Köln are looking for solutions that can ensure continuity in the team not only in the short term, but also in the long term. The fans are eagerly waiting to see what decisions will be made in the coming days – for a strong team on the pitch.