Köln not planning to sign a replacement for Czichos
FC Köln don't need to sign a new player to replace Rafael Czichos, according to sporting director Thomas Kessler.
FC Köln see no absolute need to sign a replacement for Rafael Czichos, who recently left the club to sign for Chicago Fire.
"Many agents will probably contact us in the next few days to offer us players, but we are satisfied with the structure of our squad. We can deal with the departure of Rafael Czichos internally. That doesn't mean we definitely won't bring in a new player, but it's not planned as of today," FC Köln sporting director Thomas Kessler told reporters.
"Out of appreciation, we agreed to make the transfer to Chicago happen. From a sporting perspective, we could certainly have decided to keep 'Rafa' for another six months. We could also have imagined extending his contract, which was due to expire in the summer. But Rafa approached us with the wish to move to the USA. We have complied with this request."
With Luca Kilian, Timo Hübers and Jorge Mere, Köln have three players fighting for the two spots in central defense. Sava-Arangel Čestić, who hasn't made a single first team appearance this season, could leave the club.
"We already spoke openly with Sava in the summer, telling him that a change of air would be good for him in our opinion. He decided against it at the time and wanted to assert himself here. So far, he has only played for the U21s. We are still convinced that it would be better for Sava if he made a change," said Kessler.