Knauff on future prospects: "It's a win-win for me."
In an interview appearing in the Thursday print edition of Germany's preeminent footballing publication, versatile German attacker Ansgar Knauff was understandably relaxed about his status as a hot commodity.
The 21-year-old German youth international insisted that there had been no talks about his future yet with either Borussia Dortmund or Eintracht Frankfurt.
Speaking to Julian Franzke of Germany's Kicker magazine from Eintracht Frankfurt's training camp in Dubai, Ansgar Knauff remained understandably relaxed about his future. The 21-year-old, forever elevated to cult status with his current loan club after playing such an important role in last year's run to the Europa League title, expressed his enthusiasm for continuing to help the SGE reach its sporting goals this season.
The 21-year-old German youth international insisted that there had been no talks about his future yet with either Borussia Dortmund or Eintracht Frankfurt.
"I'm fully focused on the second half of the season," Knauff told Franzke, "Anything is possible with this club! We are playing an exceptionally thus far and we also want to finish the season exceptionally well. There's not much time to think about other things."
Some injury problems have limited Knauff's involvement with Oliver Glasner's squad in the early stages this season, but the German youth international overcame fascia problems and ended up learning a new position in Glasner's tactics. Knauff has now proven that he can work effectively as a wingback on both flanks.
The youngster's parent club have been supremely impressed by this aspect of his development. According to some reports, Borussia Dortmund wish to make tie Knauff down with promises that he could be the new starting BVB left-back next season. Knuaff told Franzke that no such discussions had taken place yet.
"Now isn't the right time to talk about the way forward," Knauff said, "I don't know what will happen in the summer yet. I do know that I'll give everything for Eintracht over the next six months."
Knauff also insisted that his playing prospects, not money, would govern his decision.
"Sporting prospects are the most important," Knauff noted, "That's what drove me to go on loan in the first place. I'm at the beginning of my career and it's not logical to consider anything other than my sporting development."
Knauff obviously understood that such prospects looked good in any case.
He praised both trainers under whom he had worked in his young career.
"Edin [Terizic] is a super coach who took me very far," Knauff noted when speaking on his breakthrough to the BVB senior squad in the spring of 2021 "Even though I was a young player with little experience at the professional level, he gave me a chance in big games."
"But in the same way, Oliver is a great coach who has really helped me develop within the past year," he continued, "Both clubs have top coaching teams. The SGE and BVB are also great clubs with fantastic fans and awesome stadiums. That's why I'm relaxed. Whatever the outcome, I can only win."