Eintracht Frankfurt is facing some potentially tumultuous times as Niels Nkounkou, their 24-year-old left-back, may be heading for the exit this winter. Nkounkou has struggled to leave his mark with Frankfurt this season, having been overshadowed by summer signings Arthur Theate and Nathaniel Brown.
Throughout the 2023/24 season, Nkounkou has managed to make only four starts within the Bundesliga, deriving limited minutes from 1,260 possible ones, raising concerns about his future at the club. With reports indicating he has started just ten times out of 23 appearances across all competitions, it seems his position is increasingly precarious.
Frankfurt acquired Nkounkou from Saint-Etienne for approximately €7.5 million last summer, hoping he could become more than just a squad player. Unfortunately for the Frenchman, this season has not unfolded as the club had hoped. According to Fussball.news, internal assessments at Eintracht suggest Nkounkou has not developed as anticipated during his 15 months at the club, leading to frustrations among the coaching staff as well.
Nkounkou's performance inconsistency has been apparent this season. Despite having contributed three goals and three assists last season—which were deemed pivotal—this season he is yet to find his way onto the scoresheet. Coach Dino Toppmöller has often appeared uncertain about what contributions to expect from him, effectively leaving Nkounkou sidelined from key opportunities.
One significant issue for Nkounkou has been card management; he has often found himself receiving yellow cards at the most unfortunate moments. His persistent indiscipline has raised alarm bells for Toppmöller, who reportedly has to manage the player’s discipline on top of his inconsistent performances.
There’s also been some unfortunate luck on Nkounkou’s end, as he suffered from allergies earlier this season, limiting his playtime. After showing glimpses of promise during the draw against Augsburg, he received what many deemed an unjust yellow card, which impacted the coaching staff's trust. Five days later, he faced Lyon once more but left the game without making any remarkable impact.
The Bundesliga club's management reportedly recognizes the need for adjustments as they pursue greater success on the pitch. Frankfurt has seen improvement with 27 points, currently holding the third spot on the league table, and it seems the ambitions for the Champions League qualification are rising. It is becoming apparent, according to sources, they may now be willing to part with Nkounkou if they receive suitable offers during the transfer window.
Initial plans outlined by sporting director Markus Krösche focused on keeping the team intact until summer. Yet as the possibilities for bolstering their campaign toward the top four grow, the club may be reevaluated. A potential transfer of Nkounkou could open up needed financial resources and roster adjustments as they look to build toward future success.
“If we receive the right offer for Nkounkou this winter, we will certainly entertain the idea,” shared one insider familiar with the club's strategy.
The prospect of Nkounkou's transfer has been met with mixed expectations. While many supporters respect his contributions, others feel the club has outgrown the player, noting how the rapid progress of the team seems to have left him behind. This could be indicative of the challenges faced by younger players who come to clubs implementing larger ambitions.
Moving forward, Nkounkou's fate hangs on the winter transfer dealings. If offers materialize, especially as the January transfer window approaches, it may very well dictate the future for both the player and the club. With the situation fluid and deadlines looming, Frankfurt has the chance to make strategic moves aimed at improving their standing and addressing their future needs.
For now, fans will have to wait and see if Nkounkou can turn his season around, or if the club will look to cut ties and invest elsewhere as they push for higher aspirations. Time will tell if the young left-back remains part of Eintracht Frankfurt's growing ambitions or if he becomes another example of talent not aligned with the club's rapid development.
