At 1. FC Köln they have known for a long time what they have in Ellyes Skhiri. But in the last six months of his contract, the Tunisian turned things up even more. The competition is very interested. For the FC he seems to be hard to keep.
Dt had become clear that the questions would come. In the days leading up to the game, the media first wrote about Eintracht Frankfurt’s interest in Ellyes Skhiri, a 1. FC Köln player. When Frankfurt’s head of sport Markus Krösche and coach Oliver Glasner were asked about Skhiri’s performance after the 3-0 defeat at 1. FC Köln, a lot could be interpreted into their answers.
“Good player,” Krösche just grumbled. Glasner smiled a little tormented and said: “We never commented on him. But a player who scores two goals has put his stamp on the game.”
Five goals in five games
Not just the game, but the entire Cologne start to 2023. The Tunisian scored five goals in five games. More than anyone else – and that as a defensive midfielder. He is also the strongest running player in the entire league. No wonder more and more clubs are interested in Skhiri, who is free at the end of the season. In addition to clubs from England and France, Dortmund, Leverkusen and above all Frankfurt should be interested in the Bundesliga.
After the 27-year-old’s 3-0, Cologne’s stadium announcer Michael Trippel sent a clear message: “Goal scorer to make it 3-0. The one who belongs in Cologne,” Trippel shouted. But Skhiri himself had fueled the rumors when he did not dodge specific inquiries about Eintracht during the week. “Frankfurt could be a good project,” he even said: “You can see what a great development they have made. I can not say more. I didn’t speak to them directly.”
The FC is a little on the trump card that the World Cup participant is currently experiencing the best phase of his career – and that in the now much appreciated Cologne environment. “Our stadium announcer is also very emotional,” said Thomas Kessler, head of the licensed player department, about Trippel’s announcement. Realistically, you have to consider that “the sentences are clear”. Skhiri may want to leave because he wants to climb the next step up the career ladder. “But we will do everything we can to get our foot in the door if we get the chance,” emphasized Kessler.
First of all, Skhiri, who came to Cologne in 2019 nine months before the Corona outbreak, should now see how people celebrate in Cologne. The big party for the club’s 75th birthday is on the program on Monday, and the club’s own carnival session on Tuesday. And coach Steffen Baumgart said right after the final whistle: “We don’t want to slow anyone down today. Let’s go.” But the coach is also aware: “You don’t need a reason to celebrate in Cologne.” It’s unlikely, but maybe that will convince Skhiri to stay with FC. Otherwise they will perhaps celebrate his goals in Frankfurt next year.
