Glasner praises Hauge's return to starting XI: "That's exactly what we want from him."
Eintracht Frankfurt head-coach Oliver Glasner opted to give Daichi Kamada a much needed rest from the starting XI on Sunday against Freiburg. As a result, Kamada's regular understudy Jens Petter Hauge got his first league start round ten of the current campaign.
Comments and praise from both Glasner and SGE sporting director Markus Krösche seem to suggest that the German club is very interested in retaining the Norwegian attacker.
After a string of 11 consecutive relief appearances, Norwegian attacker Jens Petter Hauge finally found his way back into the Frankfurt starting lineup on Sunday afternoon. It is clear that SGE trainer Oliver Glasner considers Hauge a reliable go-to late in matches. With Daichi Kamada feeling somewhat fatigued, the 22-year-old got nevertheless the chance to play from the start for the first time since mid October.
Comments and praise from both Glasner and SGE sporting director Markus Krösche seem to suggest that the German club is very interested in retaining the Norwegian attacker.
"I'm very pleased," Glasner raved afterwards, "It was a successful return to the starting XI. He played exactly as we want to see him play. That's what we want from him."
Hauge recorded an assist in the match. Though Frankfurt ended up dropping the tie against Freiburg, Hauge played a very important role in helping SGE winger Filip Kostic end a 17-round-league goal scoring drought.
"That was a top quality assist," Glasner noted, "He did well and tried a lot. He moved very well in the half spaces."
Hauge remains there property of AC Milan. Rumors initially held that Eintracht had secured an outright purchase of the attacker. Ultimately, a loan-deal with a purchase option was announced.
The Norwegian national team player will certainly not come cheaper than €12 million should Frankfurt wish to acquire him permanently.
That may be something of a high price for a player who, despite 22 league appearances and two goals this season, has made only five starts.
In a recent interview with Fußball.news.de, SGE sporting director Markus Kröcsche did indicate that the club was certainly thinking about it.
"He's has some good relief appearances and some not so good ones," Krösche remarked, "He needs to work on some things, but if he does he can help us out a great deal."
"We certainly want to keep him as he has a great amount of potential," Krösche also noted.