Bundesliga News

10 Bundesliga newcomers to watch out for this season

By Rune Gjerulff   @runegjerulff

We have highlighted 10 new Bundesliga players that you should keep an eye out for in the coming season.
Pablo Maffeo.
Pablo Maffeo.Photo: Jeollo/VfB-exklusiv.de/CC-by-SA 3.0
Alassane Pléa, Borussia Mönchengladbach (OGC Nice, €23 million)
Big things are expected from Alassane Pléa who is not only this summer's most expensive Bundesliga newcomer, but also Gladbach's record signing. The 25-year-old went through a huge development under Lucien Favre at Nice and managed to score 21 times in 49 games last season. Pléa doesn't offer the biggest aerial threat, but he is good with the ball at his feet, has a nice shot from distance and is a clinical finisher. Although the opposition wasn't exactly the greatest, the striker did show that he knows where the goal is in his first official game for Gladbach as he bagged a hattrick in the 11-1 destruction of Bremen-Liga side BSC Hastedt in the DFB-Pokal.


Axel Witsel, Borussia Dortmund (Quanjin Tianjin, €20 million)
The 29-year-old joined Borussia Dortmund from Chinese side Tianjin Quanjian in one of the Bundesliga's must extensive transfer sagas of the summer. Witsel is known to be a strong, dynamic midfielder who can both contribute defensively and offensively and who has very few weaknesses. The midfielder may not have played in one of Europe's top leagues before, but at the World Cup, he certainly showed that he has the ability to perform at the highest level. Witsel certainly got off to a good start when he marked his official debut for Dortmund with a vital injury time goal in the 2-1 win over Greuther Fürth after extra time in the first round of the DFB-Pokal.

Paulinho, Bayer Leverkusen (Vasco da Gama, €18,5 million)
Bayer Leverkusen already announced the summer signing of 18-year-old Brazilian wonderkid Paulinho back in April. In Brazil, Paulinho proved himself after making his debut for Vasco da Gama two days before his 17th birthday and thus becoming the youngest debutant in the club's history. The young winger is also the youngest Vasco da Gama player to score in the Copa Libertadores, and he impressed at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in October 2017 as he helped Brazil reach the third place. In terms of playing style, Paulinho can be described as a very fast, direct and physically strong winger who can shoot well with both feet. Read much more about him here.

Davy Klaassen, Werder Bremen (Everton, €13,5 million)
Werder Bremen has spent €13,5 million on bringing in Dutch midfielder Davy Klaassen who thus became the club's record signing. The 25-year-old was a prolific figure at Ajax for several seasons before joining Everton for a whopping €27 million fee, but wasn't able to live up to the expectations at Goodison Park. Now, Klaassen – an offensive midfielder with an eye for goal and the ability to pick out the right pass – will be eager to prove his worth in the Bundesliga.

Marcelo Saracchi, RB Leipzig (River Plate, €12 million)
In 20-year-old Marcelo Saracchi, RB Leipzig have signed a versatile player who can both occupy the position at left-back and left midfielder. "Marcelo Saracchi is fast, young, and he's impressed us with the way he interprets the role of a left-back. His mindset and potential fit well with our club philosophy," RB Leipzig sporting director and head coach Ralf Rangnick following the signing of the young left-back. Saracchi started off his career at Danubio in his home country Uruguay, but spent last season at River Plate in Argentina.

Wout Weghorst, Wolfsburg (AZ Alkmaar, €10,5 million)
The big Dutchman, who stands 197 centimeters tall, was among the most remarkable strikers of last season's Eredivisie. In total, he netted 18 times in 31 games, earning him a third place on the top scorer list. Now, Weghorst – a huge aerial threat who is good at holding on to the ball – will hope he can continue finding the net in the Bundesliga. At Wolfsburg, he will battle with Daniel Ginczek, who has joined the club from VfB Stuttgart, to start up front.


Pablo Maffeo, VfB Stuttgart (Manchester City, €9 million)
After impressing on a two-year loan deal at La Liga side Girona, 21-year-old right-back Pablo Maffeo had offers from England and Spain, but ultimately joined VfB Stuttgart in a €9 million deal from Manchester City, thus becoming the club's most expensive signing ever. According to Stuttgart sporting director Michael Reschke, Maffeo can be described as “a player with a big heart and tremendous power”, and he is expected to play an important role this season.

Kasim Adams Nuhu, Hoffenheim (BSC Young Boys, €8 million)
Kasim Adams Nuhu – a big and strong centre-back – has bolstered Hoffenheim's defense after winning the Swiss championship with Young Boys last season. After completing his €8 move, the 23-year-old Ghanaian international said he is wants to adapt as fast as possible at his new club. "Hoffenheim is a very good step for me. I will change my playing style and adapt to their style. (...) I will do my best to help the team and to adapt quickly," he said after completing his move.

Jean-Philippe Mateta, Mainz (Olympique Lyon, €8 million)
Mainz are hoping that 21-year-old Jean-Philippe Mateta will help adding to the club's goal tally after completing an €8 million move from Olympique Lyon. Mateta made just two appearances for Lyon and spent last season on on loan at Ligue 2 side Le Havre, scoring 17 goals in 35 appearances. Now, the the striker will be eager to show that he is ready to take a step up and perform in the Bundesliga.

Lucas Torró, Eintracht Frankfurt (Real Madrid, €3,5 million)
24-year-old Lucas Torró – a tall defensive midfielder – has left the mighty Real Madrid and made the move to Eintracht Frankfurt. Torró came through Real Madrid's youth academy, but never made an appearance for the senior side. At Frankfurt, the Spanish midfielder, who made 37 appearances on loan at Osasuna in the Spanish second division last season, is marked out to replace Omar Mascarell who has joined Schalke 04.


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