Football Season Guide

Wolfsburg were one of the biggest under achievers last season as Dieter Hecking’s side went from being league runners and Champions League participants to not even qualifying for a European competition. Last term was full of uncertainty for the club and it was unclear what would happen with the club over the summer. Hecking managed to keep his job but there has been some significant upheaval in the playing staff. Three regulars from last season have left for different reasons. Max Kruse, who have a troubled season last year due to an incident in Berlin, was dropped by the national side and has moved on from the club to join Werder Bremen. At his best he was a very important player for the club but he will be missed less than former captain Naldo who has moved to Schalke. With Naldo gone Dante and Robin Knoche will form the centre back partnership this year. Andre Schürrle has also left to another Bundesliga side after failing to settle into the club. These players leaving led to something a crisis in confidence for a few of the players in the squad, especially Julian Draxler but Hecking avoided losing any more of his starting side. While the club have lost a few important players, the additions made to the club could be significant. Hecking has been able to add a few German players with real experience in the league. Daniel Didavi, Jakub Blaszczykowski and to a certain extent the younger Yannick Gerhardt have all proven their ability in the Bundesliga. But the recent signing of Mario Gomez could be most significant as he has shown he can still cut it at the highest level with his performances at Euro 2016 and he could be the striker the club have needed over the past couple of season. In addition Jeffrey Bruma and Borja Mayoral both come into the league with plenty of quality to add to the team. With fewer commitments outside the league now they are not in a European competition Wolfsburg will be able to give everything to their league matches. That should give them an advantage over the sides they will have to finish above to get into the top six. Die Wölfe still have real quality in players such as Draxler and Ricardo Rodriguez at left back so getting into the Europa League is a realistic target, any higher than that is unlikely though.