SC Freiburg angle for Union Berlin's Robert Andrich
Freiburg trainer Christian Streich will still have difficulty building a serviceable midfield as the start of competitive Bundesliga play draws nearer. Might Robert Andrich of FC Union Berlin be a good candidate for the six-slot?
SC Freiburg, following a wave of high profile departures over the summer, remain under serious pressure to procure personnel for their thin midfield. Negotiations continue with first-tier French side SCO Angers for the acquisition of defensive midfielder Baptiste Santamaria. German footballing magazine Kicker now reports that head coach Christian Streich hopes to obtain another six with a deal for 1. FC Union’s Robert Andrich.
The 25-year-old Andrich was one of Union’s top performers in their first-ever season in Germany’s top flight. He started 30 fixtures in the 2019/20 campaign, playing the full ninety minutes in trainer Urs Fischer’s XI a very impressive 24 times. Kicker’s composite season grade for him stands at a respectable 3,55.
Andrich’s physical strength and skill in attack builds would render him an excellent fit for the sort of double-six system Streich purportedly wishes to build. A cumulative total of 13 bookings last season nevertheless demonstrate that he does come with his disciplinary issues.
Any attempt to pry away a regular starter from the Eisern ranks will not be easy. Protracted negotiations centering around a high asking price are foreseeable. Club managing director Oliver Ruhnert has still repeatedly emphasized his office’s willingness to entertain offers.
“The door is not closed for any player,” Ruhnert told the press earlier this summer at the club’s training camp, “Whenever there exist certain financial opportunities for players, we are in a position as a club were we must think about how to handle them.”