The Hertha Crèche
By: Abby | January 14th, 2008The transfer season goes on and the rumors about new Hertha signings continue to grow apace. And in keeping with Favre’s well-known youth policy, the ones that seem most plausible are ones that are fairly young.
Signs are pointing to the upcoming signing of 19-year-old Serbian midfielder Ljobomir Fejsa. He currently plays for Hajduk Kula and would be joining his countryman Marko Pantelic in the Hertha ranks. Bild is reporting that he’ll sign this week, and Wikipedia has him already signed. He’s already played for the Serbian national team (against Kazakhstan) and is definitely one for the future, although he’ll probably be playing for us before then. Unless February counts as the future.
And as an American, I can’t help but be pleased at the news coming out of the Hertha camp about the trial of Brian Arguez. Now, everything I’d read in English about Arguez going over had played it down, saying that it was just an opportunity for the young guy to train while MLS was on break (sort of like Beckham at Arsenal, except without the paparazzi). But nearly as soon as he got there Hertha and the German press started to refer to it as a trial, and it looks like it’s going well. Jan tipped me off to this article in the Berliner Kurier about how it’s been going. He impressed in the 2-2 tie/loss on penalties to Rapid Vienna, getting glowing reviews from those who’ve seen him, and Lulu’s talking about him bypassing the amateurs and going straight into the first team. I hope this works out- I like seeing young Americans head off to learn from the big leagues, and I like having Americans on teams I like even more.
There’s one more trialist to discuss, and surprisingly, he’s old enough to rent a car. The Swede Bobbie Friberg da Cruz (who, if he signs, will have my favorite name on the team) is a 25-year-old defender with GAIS Goteborg who wants to move to Germany. Karlsruhe are also interested. Both Arguez and Friberg da Cruz have impressed so far and are returning to Berlin from the Tenerife training camp, which wasn’t entirely expected at the start of their trials.
But for every in there are outs. Christian Muller has gone to Energie Cottbus, while the newest suitor for Gilberto is Manchester United. Really. Well, as really as any transfer rumor involving a major European club is.
The team are back in Berlin and continue to train for the start of the second half of the season. A bit over three weeks ago. Some break they have in Germany…
Category: transfer news
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Comments
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The Hertha squad is getting younger by the minute. I just wonder what will happen should a run of bad results catapult them into the danger zone. Dealing with the pressure of potential relegation is quite something to ask from 19 year olds.
Apart from that, I’m all for it. I might even welcome Gilberto going to ManU or Tottenham or whoever wants him. Equals: A little bit of extra cash from the transfer and one of the top earners no longer on the payroll.
Posted from
Germany
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Yeah. Hopefully if the worst happens the older guys on the team can show some leadership. It’s hard to say. A youth policy is risky, but if it works out it’ll be really good for the club. At least to see if Favre can train his ideas into players from the start.
The only problem is Gilberto will go on a Bosman when he goes. But it’ll still save on wages.
Posted from
United States -
I was hoping for a surprise winter move, so that Hertha could still get some cash.:-) Anyway, a contract extension of two years would cost Hertha €5 million.
Until he proves me wrong: I still believe Lulu can lead the club into a bright new future, fight global warming and bring peace to the middle east. And if he can unearth some talent like he did in Switzerland, Hertha can cope with having their top-earners leave the club.
Posted from
Germany -
I was too, but alas, the teams looking at Gilberto are far too savvy for that- Fergie may pay over the odds for players often, but I doubt he’ll do it for a 31-year-old who’ll be free in six months. I don’t really think he’s worth it to Hertha- his head’s turned and there’s not much that can be done after that.
I have faith in Lulu, I really do. I can see that he has a plan and a positive playing style that he wants to impart. If he can get in the right players and get them to play right, it’s entirely possible that Hertha’s potential might turn into reality. And outside of Pante, it’s been the unearthed ones that have been performing the best this season- if Lulu can find more Lucios and Eberts, then we’ve got a good future ahead. He just needs time and support to build. And after making Hertha successful, global warming will be easy.
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United States -
[...] to Hertha Offside, it looks like Arguez may not only transfer to Hertha, but he might make the First team! [...]
Posted from
United States -
I’m sure MLS/DC United will make the Arguez price something outrageous.
Posted from
United States -
1 million euros is not outrageous, it’s fair for a talented player like Arguez who is only 19.
Posted from
United States -
He’s talented and has loads of potential, but the price that’s being quoted for Veli Kavlak, who’s already played for Austria and is regularly playing for Rapid Vienna, is €1.5 million. €1 million for a kid who hasn’t played in the first team or above U20 level internationally is steep. But we’ll see.
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United States -
Uh oh, I think my comment went to spam.
Posted from
United States -
Eep. I’ll see if I can go find it- I still am a bit iffy with the spam filter…
Posted from
United States
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