“An unbelievable prodigy. If he continues like this, all doorways are open to him. I’ve hardly ever seen such expertise at this age. He has an enormous profession forward of him,” Fabian Reese raved a couple of days in the past to ‘kicker’ about his youngest teammate.
Kennet Eichhorn has solely been eligible to play for Hertha BSC’s skilled staff since final Sunday and is already on the verge of creating membership historical past. The defensive midfielder may change into by far the youngest skilled in Hertha’s historical past in tonight’s match towards Schalke 04 (20:30 hrs).
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Since Paul Seguin (calf harm) is unquestionably out, the freshly turned 16-year-old has already made it into the ultimate matchday squad. If coach Stefan Leitl then additionally makes use of his protégé – the Mini-Kroos would beat the earlier age document of Boris Lum from final 12 months by over 300 days. Wait – Mini-Kroos?
Sure, within the media panorama, Hertha’s gem is being linked with probably the greatest German gamers of all time. Why that is each a bonus and an obstacle for him, you will see out later. Rather more vital for the second – the place does the comparability come from? Stefan Leitl hinted at it a couple of days in the past to ‘Bild’.
“You do not discover his younger age. He’s rather well on observe by way of his physique and his understanding of the sport,” the Hertha coach defined when requested about Eichhorn, who’s already 1.86 meters tall. Maturity and physique mixed with an incredible understanding of the sport – abilities which have naturally not gone unnoticed by different groups.
Earlier than Eichhorn prolonged his contract with the Outdated Woman at the start of the month, in line with ‘Bild’ stories, a number of Bundesliga golf equipment together with Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt have been focused on him. However Hertha satisfied the DFB junior participant, who has been enjoying for the membership because the U9, to remain. Maybe excellent to proceed rising away from the massive soccer stage?
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Virtually precisely two years in the past, a young person additionally made a reputation for himself on the upcoming opponent from Schalke. Assan Ouédraogo scored his first skilled aim on the age of 17 in S04’s 3:5 defeat towards Hamburg on July 28, 2023. After his dream debut, he was even courted by Bayern. Only one 12 months later, he moved to RB Leipzig for ten million euros.
Do not get me mistaken: The now 19-year-old should still have a terrific profession forward of him. However after the preliminary hype, issues quieted down considerably round him.
Slowed down by accidents and fluctuations in efficiency, the offensive participant has solely performed 21 skilled video games within the two years since his mega debut – most of them not from the beginning. Maybe there was a bit an excessive amount of consideration at the start to have the ability to develop in peace.
By the best way, Ouédraogo will not be an remoted case. Different gamers, resembling Jan-Fiete Arp, additionally skilled fairly a downfall after an early media hype. Ought to Eichhorn see this as a warning?
📸 Carlos Rodrigues – 2025 Getty Pictures
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Not essentially. As a result of now the Mini-Kroos comes again into play. Not like the offensive gamers Ouédraogo and Arp, {the teenager}’s place may gain advantage him. As a midfielder, Eichhorn shall be much less measured by objectives or assists – which may take some strain off a younger expertise at first look.
After all, the Kroos comparability alone speaks towards this. Being linked with a former world star inevitably raises sure expectations. Eichhorn, nevertheless, is doing it good – he’s specializing in his private objectives: “I wish to set up myself with the professionals and contribute as greatest I can to reaching our set objectives,” he defined to the ‘Berliner Kurier’ at the start of July when he prolonged his contract.
In accordance with captain Reese, the aim of the Herthaners is promotion, as he advised ‘kicker’. Who is aware of, perhaps the 16-year-old will lay the primary cornerstone in direction of the Bundesliga on the pitch with Hertha tonight. It’s best to positively keep watch over him.
This text was translated into English by Synthetic Intelligence.
📸 Carlos Rodrigues – 2025 Getty Pictures