The 1. FC Köln has embarked on their winter training camp from January 3 to January 10, 2025, held in the picturesque coastal town of Estepona, Spain. The team enters the second half of the 2. Bundesliga season at the top of the league, positioning them as favorites to continue their successful run. Photos from the training camp showcase the team’s activities as they gear up for the challenges of the upcoming matches.
This year, the camp is particularly significant as it includes five young talents from the U21 squad — Alessandro Blazic, Neo Telle, Emin Kujovic, Meiko Sponsel, and Oliver Schmitt. Head coach Gerhard Struber acknowledged the potential of these players but indicated they might not yet be ready for immediate first-team duties. Struber pointed out, “The young players are still not far enough along,” emphasizing the team’s plan to bolster their squad through external reinforcements.
Struber’s statement reflects the current dynamics of the team’s strategy, where their focus is not only on immediate performance but also on long-term development. Notably absent from the training session was Mark Uth, who had to leave the session early due to calf discomfort. Struber revealed, “He felt pressure in the calf, which doesn’t sound promising.” This injury adds another layer of concern, as Uth was expected to play a pivotal role for Köln's ambitions this season.
Despite the injury setbacks, Struber welcomed returns from Tim Lemperle and Julian Pauli, both of whom missed several matches due to injuries. Newly signed right-back Jusuf Gazibegovic also made his debut during this training camp, participating actively and impressing his new teammates with immediate contributions during training drills.
Meanwhile, the transfer strategy is still underway. Although Gazibegovic is a welcome addition, Struber had hoped for more signings before the camp commenced. With the winter transfer window open until February 3, there is still room for maneuvering. Struber confirmed, “We will try our best to make more signings, but we will not rush; we need to make the right decisions.”
Concerns with the acquisition of new players have been magnified by the challenge of negotiating for defender Joel Schmied, whose club FC Sion remains steadfast with their demands. FC Köln’s management is trying to navigate the discrepancies between their budget and Sion’s asking price, as negotiations progress slowly.
Another focal point this winter is the loan of player Sargis Adamyan to Jahn Regensburg, which marks both a new beginning and significant changes for him and his family. Adamyan's wife, Anna, expressed optimism about the move, citing it as a chance for her husband to regain his form after struggling to solidify his place at Köln. The couple had previously enjoyed success during Adamyan’s first stint with Regensburg, hoping this move will help him shine once more.
Both Anna and Sargis have voiced the need for fresh challenges following many ups and downs during their time at Köln, with Anna sharing her reflections on social media about the difficult experiences they faced, including injury woes and family disturbances.
This amalgamation of events paints a dynamic picture of the current state of the 1. FC Köln as they navigate through training, injuries, transfers, and personal stories within the players’ lives. With their upcoming matches and the winter transfer window still open, all eyes will be on how the team adapts and responds to these circumstances.
Looking forward to the second half of the season, Struber remains positive about the team's capabilities, but acknowledges the hurdles they need to overcome. For fans and stakeholders of the club, the developments during this winter training camp could prove foundational for their aspirations in the league as they aim for promotion and greater success.