Six players to watch out for during pre-season

Yesterday, Dino Toppmöller and his team killed off their first training session of the season. During this pre-season, some players will be watched closely, as their roles in the squad are still unclear. They could be starters, they could be substitutes, they could have their breakout season, but they could also be pushed out of the team completely. I’ve picked out six players who will be under the spotlight in the coming weeks, because their performances in pre-season could be decisive for their future at Eintracht Frankfurt.

1 - Paxten Aaronson

Aaronson is currently still in the United States following his second place finish at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. After only playing a total of nine minutes at the tournament, the 21-year-old will hope to earn more minutes on the pitch under Dino Toppmöller.

During his loan at Utrecht last season, Paxten Aaronson took the Eredivisie by storm. In 33 matches he was directly involved in 12 goals, despite playing in a deeper role than usual. The American didn’t just improve his attacking output, he also became a lot stronger defensively. Aaronson himself claimed to have turned into a "completely new player".

The energetic midfielder will have very strong competition in central midfield. Aaronson will have to continue his impressive form if he wants to get minutes next season.

2 - Elye Wahi

Elye Wahi will be watched closely next season – not just by Eintracht fans. After joining for €26m in January, Wahi only played a total of 214 minutes and is yet to score his first goal in an Eintracht shirt. The record signing was a real disappointment in his first months at the club. Now in his second season at Eintracht, fans will expect a lot more from the Frenchman.

While many fans and newspapers have already written off the 22-year-old as a flop, there’s still some hope left. Elye Wahi has proven that he can be a deadly goalscorer in Ligue 1. He’s quick, agile and very good at running in behind the defense. He also possesses a great finishing ability. However, Wahi is currently lacking what’s most important for a striker: confidence. This pre-season offers him a chance to regain that confidence ahead of his second season at the club.

3 - Can Uzun

Can Uzun was one of the most hyped talents in the Bundesliga around one year ago. That’s why many considered his first season at Eintracht Frankfurt to have been underwhelming. However, both Markus Krösche and Dino Toppmöller were satisfied with the Turkish international.

Krösche recently explained that the first year is about adaptation for young talents, while the second year is when they’re expected to perform. Uzun’s development is going according to plan, but now it’s time for him to take the next step. He already showed glimpses of his quality last season, particularly with his vision and technical skill in tight spaces. The big question now is whether he can deliver those performances on a more regular basis. This could be vital for Dino Toppmöller, who might be looking to play a more controlled style next season, following the departure of Omar Marmoush and the potential exit of Hugo Ekitike.

4 - Fares Chaibi

Farès Chaibi is heading into his third season with Eintracht Frankfurt, and this could be a decisive one. According to Bild, Eintracht would consider letting Chaibi leave for the right offer, but Toppmöller has already stated that Chaibi remains a part of his plans. As with any player, Chaibi is not untouchable for other clubs, but the door is not closed either.

Now it’s time for Chaibi to prove that selling him should not be an option. Chaibi has shown flashes of his talent, but he has been too inconsistent. In the pre-season friendlies, Chaibi will need to perform. He definitely has the ability, now it’s about showing it regularly on the pitch.

5 - Aurèle Amenda

Aurèle Amenda had a frustrating first season at Eintracht Frankfurt. That was largely due to injuries that prevented him from finding rhythm and consistency. As he’s now fit and back in training, Amenda will be eager to show his qualities on the pitch.

With Tuta being out due to injury and Collins still on holiday, Amenda could get an early advantage in pre-season. In the first training session of the year, he already impressed the coaches. If Amenda stays healthy, he could stake his claim for a spot in the starting lineup.

6 - Oscar Højlund

A serious injury early last season disrupted Oscar Højlund’s start at Eintracht, but he still managed to work his way into the squad later in the season. The performances following his return looked promising, even if he didn’t manage to establish himself as a key player.

This season the Danish midfielder could take the next step. Going into the season fully fit, Højlund has a chance to take on a more important role right from the beginning of the season. However, the competition in his position will be ruthless, as Krösche is looking to bring in another central midfielder. It might be between Højlund and Aaronson, who gets the spot behind the undisputed Hugo Larsson.