Eintracht Frankfurt wrapped up a training camp at the Chiemsee in the Bavarian town of Grassau with renewed optimism around returning coach Adi Hütter, though significant gaps in the squad, particularly in defence, remain unresolved.
The camp drew around 500 fans to each session, and the mood among supporters was described as surprisingly euphoric. According to those on the ground, the chaos of the previous season appears already forgiven, with the general sentiment being that European competition is back within reach under Hütter's guidance.
Hütter Wins Over Fans and Press
Five years after leaving Frankfurt for Gladbach, the Austrian manager presented himself as open and approachable throughout the week. He stopped to chat with journalists, signed autographs and posed for photos almost every day. The camp marked a visible change from his first stint, when he occasionally came across as distant.
His footballing ideas were also evident early. Hütter's priorities are high pressing, quick ball recoveries and fast transitions. Striker Jonathan Burkardt said the work was enjoyable and that the sessions had been demanding. Those principles were on display in a test match against Trabzonspor, when Frankfurt pinned the Turkish side back for long stretches and forced repeated turnovers in the opening phase.
Burkardt the Standout, Young Ilicevic a Revelation
Burkardt was the most energetic presence in camp. The 26-year-old, who used the long off-season to work on his fitness, performed well in training and in test matches. He said what was happening at Eintracht was doing him a great deal of good. He is already considered a fan favourite and is a leading candidate for the captain's armband.
Among younger players, 15-year-old Niko Ilicevic drew attention with confident, direct dribbling. The source described him as a genuine jewel in the club's ranks, though it noted he is not yet eligible to appear in match reports and should be given time to develop.
New Signings Give Mixed Signals
Of the three new arrivals present in Grassau, none made a decisive impression. Eighteen-year-old striker Malik Pimpong took part in every session without standing out. Noel Aseko, signed from Bayern Munich, is managing a knee problem and spent more time running around the pitch than on it, though sporting director Markus Krösche played down the concern. Otávio arrived Thursday and joined in immediately; at 20, he was judged too new to assess fairly.
Goalkeeping and Defence Unresolved
Hütter has not formally named a first-choice goalkeeper. Kaua Santos is thought to hold an edge over Michael Zetterer, but persistent rumours link the club to a return for Lukas Hradecky. The source said Hütter was not entirely satisfied with the current options and would prefer a more experienced keeper.
The defensive picture is the most pressing concern. Departures including Rasmus Kristensen, Nathaniel Brown and Aurèle Amenda, combined with uncertainty over Arthur Theate's future, leave the backline thin. Full-backs Elias Baum and Keita Kosugi have yet to prove themselves at Bundesliga level. Krösche said he was satisfied with the current roster, but the source noted that at least one more centre-back and ideally two full-backs are needed. Without reinforcements, a challenge for European places was described as a near-impossible task.
Transfer Business Ongoing
Midfielder Raphael Onyedika is expected to join at some point, though the timing is unclear. Before adding further players, the club needs to move on several contracted names including Elye Wahi, Michy Batshuayi, Jessic Ngankam, Noel Futkeu, Niels Nkounkou, Junior Dina Ebimbe and Jean-Matteo Bahoya. A striker remains a target if funds become available, with Arnaud Kalimuendo mentioned as a player who would strengthen the side, though active contact has cooled.
Hütter himself noted at the start of pre-season that only competitive matches would determine how the campaign truly goes. The camp ended on a positive note, but the road back to the club's former level, the source concluded, is still a long one.
