Who is coming to FC?
In a BILD series, experts talk about the FC newcomers. Today: Danish European Champion Flemming Povlsen (55) via Kristian Pedersen (27), who is moving from Birmingham City to Cologne on a free transfer.
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Ex-striker Povlsen (20 goals in 80 competitive FC games) explains his compatriot in BILD: “Kristian has a good mentality and fits in perfectly with Steffen Baumgart’s style of play. I’ve always found him interesting as a player, he also played an international match in the Danish national team.”
► Pedersen should continue the Danish tradition at Geißbockheim. The left-back (FC contract until 2024) is already the 13th Dane in FC history (see statistics). Before he started in Cologne on Monday, he married his longtime girlfriend Cecilie – and she was at the table in the office of sports director Christian Keller (43) when Pedersen signed the contract.
Povlsen (TV expert on “Discovery Plus”): “Off the field, Kristian is a bit shy, but in the game he is someone who sometimes goes where it hurts. I think he’s a good winger with a strong attacking drive – a fitting addition to Jonas Hector on the left.”
Foto: FrontzoneSport via Getty Images
” data-zoom-src=”https://bilder.bild.de/fotos/flemming-povlsen-l–arbeiter-heute-als-tv-experte-2ec1f2fd3fd646d0ae6a07ae6ce67d72-80479948/Bild/2.bild.jpg”/ > Flemming Povlsen (left) now works as a TV expertFoto: FrontzoneSport via Getty Images
Pedersen can be used flexibly. Just as coach Steffen Baumgart (50) wanted. He can also play in both central defender positions. “In the English Championship (2nd division; editor’s note) you need a high level of willingness to run and he definitely has that. Kristian is fast, playful and also good with his head,” explains Povlsen. And above all tough. In England he received ten yellow cards in 37 league games (3 goals).
Will his compatriot make the breakthrough in the cathedral city? “I’m convinced that Kristian is a good choice. In addition, the boy can be integrated quickly.”
Pedersen already played at Union Berlin (2016 to 2018), says: “I think it’s an advantage that I’ve played there for two years. I know the culture and how football is played in Germany.”
