Borussia Mönchengladbach sporting director Rouven Schröder has announced that he and his staff will be endeavoring to reduce their 31-man-squad before the January transfer window comes to a close. Gladbach entered the current January transfer window with a significant number of players qualifying as “dead weight” or sitting on expiring contracts, yet have only gotten one player off the payroll.
Danish midfielder Oscar Fraulo (Derby County) counts as the lone BMG departure this January. Czech striker Tomas Cvancara arrived for a brief stopover after his loan with Anatalyspor was terminated earlier. Cvancara – not in the squad at the start of the month – obviously doesn’t count as a departure after being quickly re-loan loaned out to Celtic.
Who have Gladbach added this window?
On the very same day that Gladbach shipped Fraulo out to the Isle, the club also brought in Japanese central defender Kota Takai in on loan from Tottenham. The 21-year-old has appeared in the maximum number of matches for which he is eligible thus far, albeit in relief each time. Takai could be in for his first Bundesliga start against Stuttgart this weekend due to an injury to starter Kevin Diks.
Three days ago, the foals also obtained Bayer Leverkusen attacking prospect Alejo Sarco on loan. Germany’s red company team acquired the young Argentine a developmental prospect last January. Sarco only logged 75 Bundesliga minutes for Leverkusen this season, but that was mostly due to his participation in the U20 World Cup. BMG head coach Eugen Polanski is sure to give him a shot.
Who may yet depart Gladbach?
One assumes that Schröder and staff aren’t looking to add any more players this winter. Plenty of “expendables” on the BMG squad are reliably linked with moves to other clubs. Mainz’s interest in Marvin Friedrich has presumably cooled after the Pfälzer acquired Stefan Posch, but there are surely plenty of other takers for the veteran. The same applies to experienced professionals such as versatile midfielder Kevin Stöger and former captain Jonas Omlin.
Youngsters Wael Mohya, Nikas Swider, and (if fit enough) Fabio Chiarodia can all be loaned out. Specific outgoing transfer rumors surrounding left-back Luca Netz have dried up, but it remains likely that Gladbach wish to cash in on the 22-year-old (expiring contract) before the January window closes. Very significantly, Gladbach opted to extend the contract of Netz’s main competitor Lukas Ullrich a couple of weeks ago.
Departure rumors involving Rocco Reitz continue to churn.
Schröder’s recent statements
“The fact is that we want to reduce the size of the squad,” Schröder told Kicker. “There is a desire for change among the players. Something will happen to those seeking more playing time. [With 11 days left in the transfer window], the clock is ticking. We’re talking to those who have slipped out of the squad and figuring out how to approach the next six months.“
