the metamorphosis of Hugo Ekitike

Germany is definitely a land to which the French like to go into exile. In the past, many have crossed the Rhine to get playing time or reveal themselves: Coman, Nkunku, Kolo Muani, Millot, Upamecano, Diaby… The latest Habs to date? Hugo Ekitike. Outcast at Paris Saint-Germain after only one season under Christophe Galtier, the ex-Rémois was then put on the shelf by Luis Enrique and Luis Campos for six months. If he was close to joining Eintracht in August 2023 (his name was mentioned in an exchange with Kolo Muani), he finally packed his bags five months later for the west of Germany.

The rest after this ad

In Frankfurt, Ekitike had a complicated first few months. Not surprising for a player who had not played official matches for 175 days (August 12, 2023 – February 3, 2024). The poor physical form of the man who was nicknamed “Mister Zero” by the German press was not a hindrance for Dino Toppmöller, who fielded him 16 times in the second half of last season. But the German coach expected more from the player, whose purchase option of 16.5 million euros was exercised in April.

Already his best club record over a season

To compete with him, Frankfurt had recruited the young Igor Matanovic from Kalsruhe (German D2). Toppmöller also put pressure on Ekitike at the start of the season: “ Ékitike must be in such a state that he can play like Igor. I’ve said it before, Igor is an absolutely serious competitor for any striker… “, he indicated last August. A speech which motivated the ex-Rémois, who established himself as an indisputable holder of the SGE attack.

The rest after this ad

Ekitike is currently having the best season of his career. In the Bundesliga, he has 7 goals and 5 assists after 12 games played. His good performances with the German club allowed him to return to the France Espoirs team last September. He also distinguished himself with a penalty goal against Bosnia-Herzegovina. A gathering during which Gérald Baticle praised his progress. “ I find it really complete. He has speed, so he can use depth, but we also saw his qualities of fixation, delivery and combined play. It was his combined play that caused the penalties. This gives us very interesting possibilities, which still remain to be developed. », affirmed the coach of the Hopes.

Aligned alongside Omar Marmoush, the Frenchman and the Egyptian form one of the best duos in Europe (28 goals and 16 assists). “ And again, I think that potentially, we are still perhaps 50% of what we could do if we worked even better togethersaid Ekitike in an interview for TNT Sportsbefore talking about its adaptation in Germany. When I arrived, I was on the bench. Physically it was difficult, I’m not going to lie. Competition has nothing to do with training. I immediately understood that, technically, I was at the level to play here, but that I also had the physical parameters to improve. From the moment I found stability, the coach trusted me and I would say that things became easier. I know I can still do so much more. » This Thursday, a reinvigorated Ekitike will appear at Groupama Stadium against Olympique Lyonnais in the Europa League. With the objective of confirming its transformation.