Ducksch comments on Keïta situation, addresses fan criticism
It wasn't that long ago that SV Werder Bremen striker Marvin Ducksch was sitting alongside his former teammate and friend Niclas Fülkrug at a German national team presser. For a time, it looked was if is the 30-year-old was set to follow in Füllkrug's footsteps; coming to represent his country as a "late bloomer". This did not materialize. VfB Stuttgart striker Deniz Undav took Ducksch's place alongside Füllkrug in the last international break.
Despite the fact that Ducksch was able to sustain his club form for a time after his November international call-up, however, Bremen's leading goal-scorer this season currently finds himself in a serious form slump. Ducksch scored his ninth league goal of the campaign in match-day 20's 1-0 victory over Mainz. He has not found the back of the net since. The veteran addressed his form slump whilst speaking on Monday's "Kicker meets DAZN" podcast.
"If I were to speak from the fans' perspective, they'll be hoping that I leave in the summer," Ducksch told German footballing journalists Alex Schlüter and Benni Zander, "I keep noticing that every time I post a picture [on social media], threads with my name say that everything I'm doing right now sucks. I try to keep going and not let it affect me, but of course I think about it. It just won't stop. One has to deal with it without letting it get to you too much."
Schlüter and Zander naturally also solicited Ducksch for comment on the Naby Keïta situation. The once highly celebrated summer signing now appears (at the very least) headed for a suspension from the team and possibly a termination from the club after deserting the team yesterday ahead of the away fixture at Leverkusen. SV coach Ole Werner has since publicly commented on the incident, noting that he doubts Keïta has a future at Werder.
"I've never experienced a situation like this before, to be honest," Ducksch said on the podcasts, "His stuff was still there in place [in his locker]. At some point in the shower, people came in and said that he had left with his private clothes."