Eintracht Frankfurt would like to count on Makoto Hasebe for another year. The club puts it in the hands of the defensive veteran whether he wants to play another season.
Actually, Makoto Hasebe should only act as a reservist this season. Here and there for shorter times, to act as an important mentor and leader around the games and the training sessions – that’s the idea. Instead, Frankfurt can, wants and must continue to rely on him.
Hasebe has played in all three previous games in the Champions League. On the first day of the group match only briefly as a substitute, most recently from the starting XI and for the full 90 minutes. In the last week, Harry Kane got a sense of just how good the 38-year-old is.
Accordingly, Eintracht raises the question again as to whether Hasebe should still be part of the team next season. The original plan: the end of the active career in the summer, in order to then continue the trainer training and remain loyal to the SBU in other functions.
Markus Krösche is open to another contract extension. He even leaves the decision to the defender, as he explained to Sky: “We discussed that he decides whether he wants to continue playing or not. It’s entirely up to him. If Makoto says he wants to play for another year, then he keeps playing.”
The sports director praised him as a player “who not only has a lot of experience, but also treats his body very professionally”. This is also evident: only very few professionals would still be at such a good level at the age of 38 as Hasebe.
“Through his experience, he can foresee many situations because he’s a very smart player. He’s an important stabilizer for us as a team,” Krösche continued.
In the course of the season, the 114-time Japan international will have to think again. Is it really the end of the day at the end of the season or will the next year be the year in which he ends it a little more leisurely?
This article was originally published on 90min.com/de as Eintracht plan: Hasebe should extend again – if he wants to.
