Toppmöller issues challenge to Chaibi after “inconspicuous” play in attack

Eintracht Frankfurt trainer Dino Toppmöller made a deliberate effort to encourage competition among his players for places in the starting XI at his Friday presser. 

Ahead of tomorrow’s “mega-match” against Borussia Dortmund, Eintracht Frankfurt trainer Dino Toppmöller spoke on the competitive nature of starting positions at his Friday presser. The team’s leading goalscorer Omar Marmoush – with Sasa Kalajdzic lost for the season after another horror ACL tear – remain’s the SGE head-coach’s top choice as a lead striker. Toppmöller nevertheless didn’t rule out giving PSG loanee Hugo Ekitiké a shot now that the Frenchman has overcome his fitness issues.

“I’m very confident about Hugo,” Toppmöller said of Ekitiké, “He is another good offensive option. We’ve all seen the quality he’s already shown. It’s clear that a lot revolves around him, though performance remains the foundational basis [for squad selection].”

Toppmöller had clearer words for another one of his offensive slots. Algerian international Fares Chaibi started in Toppmöller’s highly effective 4-1-4-1 last week, yet was taken off in favor of nagar Knauff before the first half was out.

Though it was true that Chaibi picked up a booking, such a move wouldn’t have taken place before half-time without performance factors playing a role. The SGE trainer confirmed that this was the case on Friday, strongly suggesting that Knauff would get the nod over Chaibi.

“I really like Faris because he has a very high quality, but he hasn’t been as conspicuous in recent weeks in terms of his attacking play,” Toppmöller said “[a benching] could happen, but it’s not final yet. Of course things must be considered.”

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