VfL Bochum is still looking for a central defender. Meanwhile, coach Thomas Letsch takes a liking to a talent from his own youth.
Patrick Fabian and Marc Lettau have a lot to do these days. Together, the squad planners have the task of finding a new centre-back for VfL Bochum. Even though coach Thomas Letsch thinks highly of one of his own talents.
“It’s clear that we need at least one more centre-back. We are working intensively on that,” said Letsch. “There are already exciting options.” The circle of candidates is said to include Keven Schlotterbeck (SC Freiburg), who has already been loaned out for the second half of the season, and ex-Bochum player Maxim Leitsch (FSV Mainz 05).
While the search is on, a VfL talent is getting the chance to prove himself – with success. Just a moment ago, Niko Bozickovic was still on the training pitch with the U19s, but last Wednesday he was called up for lunch with the professionals. In the evening, he was on the pitch in the first test against Kickers Emden (9:2).
Sometimes things can happen very quickly. His calm performance earned the 18-year-old special praise from coach Letsch, who wants him to be part of the professional squad “until further notice”. “Due to the fact that we are currently still short in central defence, we have said that Niko will stay with us.”
VfL Bochum: Bella Kotchap, Leitsch, Oermann – Bozickovic?
He also did his job well overall in the second test match against SC Verl (1:3), playing the second half in a back four. “If we have a young talent and a need in this position, let him join us and get used to us.”
But he said it was too early to see him as the solution for the vacant place in central defence. “In the long term yes, in the short term no,” Letsch replied when asked. In Bochum, it is hoped that Bozickovic will follow the path taken by other talented VfL defenders before him in the recent past.
The aforementioned Leitsch, Armel Bella Kotchap and Tim Oermann all made the leap from the U19s to the pros. The 18-year-old has been playing there for a year. He came from Hamburger SV’s U17 team and is now entering his second season. The fact that U19 coach Heiko Butscher reportedly wants to make him captain shows how important he is.
In all likelihood, however, he will have to do without Bozickovic for at least the next week. “Before the training camp we have to think about: What does the squad look like, who is with us?” said Letsch. “We definitely need 23 plus three players.” It is quite possible that the 1.92 metre tall defensive player will be part of the line-up.
But other VfL talents may also have hopes of being part of the squad from Sunday onwards in South Tyrol. “There are a few exciting players,” Letsch knows. “When we know exactly which position we need, then we will sit down with Heiko and decide.”
Until then, test number three is still to come. On Friday (21 July, 6 p.m., RS-Liveticker), it’s against second-division team Fortuna Düsseldorf. It is unlikely to be Bozickovic’s last outing.
