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What makes Jesper Lindstrom important

Mometimes Jesper Lindstrom seems a little uncomfortable with the praise he gets. As a member of the Eintracht offensive quartet, which also includes Randal Kolo Muani, Mario Götze and Daichi Kamada, he is the focus of attention when the rise of the once staid Frankfurt football team to an enchanting European quality class is described. “We’re a very strong team,” says Lindström then, “but it’s not just us on offense, Djibril Sow and the others in midfield and defense also find space and work for each other and for the fans, that’s what makes us who we are.”

That may be the case, but the 22-year-old Dane and his three enthusiastic colleagues trigger tongue-clicking and astonished enthusiasm. Eintracht were Europa League winners last season with an attack that worked hard and ran a lot, earning every goal with the sweat of their brow. Rafael Borré was the symbol of the Frankfurt attacking game. With the arrival of Götze and Kolo Muani, the creative players Kamada and Lindström, who used to be frustrated at times, have found congenial partners for a complex attacking game full of inspiration and with many aha effects. And Borré, who shot Eintracht to the Europa League title, usually sits on the bench.

Lindström describes what the evolution in the Frankfurt offensive means for him: “Kolo Muani makes me better. Last season I always wanted to go deeper because Daichi Kamada and Rafael Borré are not the fastest players. Now Kolo is very fast and often goes steeply. That gives me space. If he goes to the left, I have space on the right and vice versa.” And of course he also benefits from Götze: “Mario is Mario, he always finds the right pass.”

Estimated market value: more than 25 million euros

Jesper Lindstrom is on top. In 22 competitive games for Eintracht this season, he has scored eight goals and provided two assists for goals. With Denmark he played all three World Cup games in Qatar. “We were eliminated in the preliminary round with only one point and as a team we were very disappointed. But for me the tournament was positive. I played more than I thought I could and I was able to show what I can do.”

That is a lot. The Dane is exceptionally quick and good at dribbling, has a good shot, can cross and pass precisely with both feet and also has a lot of understanding of the game and is good for clever solutions in complicated game situations. Its market value is now estimated at over 25 million euros.

Eintracht had signed him from Danish champions Brondby IF in the summer of 2021 for 7.5 million euros. His start in Frankfurt was difficult. The Dane repeatedly indicated his abilities. But there was no good relationship between the effort and the income. Too often he lost the ball while dribbling, and once he got through, he often botched the pass or shot.

“In the beginning something was always missing: the last shot, the last pass,” describes the attacker. Coach Oliver Glasner supported him. In February 2022, many fans still described him as a chance death, but Glasner said: “I don’t blame him at all. What the boy tears down every game, how agile he is, how many chances he creates is outstanding. I know it’s nagging him not to score, but he mustn’t give up. He will reward himself.”

And so it happened. On the one hand, his improved physique helped him and that he had gotten used to the faster pace in the Bundesliga. On the other hand, the work with his sports psychologist was fruitful. He advised him not only to define himself by the results, victory or defeat, goal or assist, but to set personal goals. “How do I take the ball, how do I run, how do I survive duels, how do I generally develop as a player,” explains Lindström. And once the knot had burst, there was no stopping Jesper Lindström.

The Dane is now highly traded on the transfer market and has aroused the interest of many powerful clubs. That’s why Lindström doesn’t want to make any careless promises that he will fulfill his contract with Eintracht by the summer of 2026: “In football you never know whether you’ll stay five years or be gone tomorrow.”

It’s not at all the case that the dribbler is pulled away: “Frankfurt has become something like my second home, I not only love Eintracht, but also the city.” Which also applies to his girlfriend and dog. “The only thing missing in Frankfurt are a few beaches,” says Lindström. And if he does get homesick for Denmark, he can be with his family in an hour thanks to Frankfurt Airport.

Lindström has big plans for the second part of the season: “We want to make history again.” When asked what exactly he means by that, he clarifies: “I don’t necessarily mean that we have to become champions or win the Champions League. I want us to develop further as a team. We don’t just want to play for the top spots this year, but also in the years to come.” It doesn’t sound like Jesper Lindström has any quick farewell in mind.

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