BVB, Paris Brunner: Strong warning to the U17 world champions

Sport Clear words

First problems – urgent warning to the U17 world champions

As of: 10:09 a.m. | Reading time: 3 minutes

Paris Brunner (l.) and David Odogu in training for the youth national team

Quelle: Getty Images for DFB/Neil Baynes

David Odogu from VfL Wolfsburg won the World Cup title with the German U17s. Now he is apparently being courted by many clubs. His boss sees this as a dangerous development – and warns the talented people. A young champion is once again causing problems at BVB.

His career path took him to VfL Wolfsburg in 2020 via Steglitzer FC and 1. FC Union Berlin. But David Odogu is not yet a factor at the Bundesliga club. But he can still be that. At least there are some who think highly of him – whether at VfL or at other clubs.

Marcel Schäfer, VfL’s sports director, took the current speculation surrounding 17-year-old Odogu as an opportunity to warn the top German talents a good month after they won the World Cup in Indonesia.

“We should be careful that the U17 title doesn’t turn the boys’ heads. Just because they have now become U17 world champions doesn’t mean that all of them now have the right to play in the Bundesliga,” the former national player told the “Kicker” during the Wolfsburg training camp in Portugal: “Now it’s possible For them, their careers are just getting started. It’s important that they don’t allow themselves to be blinded.”

On the list at Chelsea, Arsenal, Brentford and Leicester

Odogu, who plays in central defense, is being courted by several English clubs according to transfer rumors. According to media reports, these include Chelsea, Arsenal, Brentford FC and Leicester City.

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Schäfer, who played eight international matches for Germany, expressly does not want his warning to be understood as criticism of Odogu. “I don’t think David made those headlines,” said the 39-year-old. But he demands patience and understanding from the young players and those around them that the step to becoming a Bundesliga professional could take even longer.

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“That’s the problem we have in Germany. Namely, that the players are now elevated to the throne and then dropped again,” said Schäfer. “It’s something different to become U17 world champion or to stand your ground in front of 80,000 spectators in Dortmund.” That’s why transfer rumors like the one surrounding Odogu are now “completely counterproductive for the mindset of the young players.”

Marcel Schäfer has been the sports director at VfL Wolfsburg since February 1st

Source: dpa/David Inderlied

Defender Odogu has signed a long-term contract in Wolfsburg, which will be converted into a professional contract on the day of his 18th birthday in June. He already trains regularly with the Bundesliga team at VfL.

Trouble with two BVB talents

There have been no problems with the U17 world champion in Wolfsburg so far. At Borussia Dortmund, however, Paris Brunner, who was voted the best player at the World Cup tournament in Indonesia, apparently caused a stir once again.

Brunner and junior colleague Cole Campbell (17) are said to have left their rooms and the hotel without permission during the BVB training camp in Marbella during the night, according to “Bild” reports – and were promptly caught by the Borussia coaching team. BVB coach Edin Terzic’s internal requirement was that the U18 players had to be in their rooms by midnight.

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In October, Brunner was surprisingly suspended by the club for a few days for disciplinary reasons. The sanction was only lifted shortly before the start of the U17 World Cup. Now Brunner – together with Campbell – was allowed to travel to a training camp with the professionals for the first time.