Aaronson, 20-year-old American and midfielder, joined the Salzburg team as agreed in the summer from the MLS club Philadelphia Union. “I think he’s a player who can adapt quickly to our football and is ready for a big role,” said coach Jesse Marsch about his compatriot who flourished in the USA under the wing of ex-junior boss Ernst Tanner.
“He understands a lot, is a smart boy and also very mature, but he is in a new country and in a new league. We have to help him, but I think he’s ready for this moment, ”continued Marsch. Aaronson was also committed in view of the departure of Dominik Szoboszlai, who had switched to RB Leipzig in the winter.
Start of training at Master Salzburg
Under the impression of a current coronavirus case and the known positive doping tests of two players, soccer champion Red Bull Salzburg resumed training on Tuesday.
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The next talents get their chance
For the preparation, the squad has also been supplemented by further youngsters from the Lieferinger farm team, including David Affengruber, Benjamin Sesko and Maurits Kjaergaard. Luka Susic, Nicolas Seiwald, Chukwubuike Adamu and Amar Dedic also want to recommend themselves for (further) assignments with the Salzburg professionals.
“We have a great team in delivery. They can show that they are ready for the next challenges, ”said Marsch. The coach does not see the tight table situation in the Bundesliga – four clubs are within two points – as an obstacle to integrating young players. “It does not matter. Our way is to play and work with young players. I know it is always the requirement to win the league and the cup, but we also have to stick to our philosophy, ”explained the American.
Ashimeru before moving to Belgium
According to Marsch, Antoine Bernede, who was injured for a long time after a broken tibia, is fully fit and is seen as a new addition. Majeed Ashimeru, however, will almost certainly leave the club. Negotiations should be concluded in the next few days. The Ghanaian is associated with RSC Anderlecht.
New additions are not excluded. “If the situation arises to bring a player and he fits into the structure, I would not rule out that we will act,” said sports director Christoph Freund. Basically, they are satisfied with how the squad is set up. According to Freund, there have recently been no discussions about a rumored move by Marco Grüll from Ried to Salzburg. Marsch is also satisfied: “Our squad is strong.”
No news in doping cause yet
However, two players may still be out, because the big topic before the first training in 2021 was of course the positive doping tests by Mohamed Camara and Sekou Koita after their return from the Malian national team. The duo is said to have received a remedy for altitude sickness. The team doctor of the Malian association has meanwhile been suspended.
According to sports director Christoph Freund, the case remains with UEFA. The Continental Association has not yet provided any information about possible bans. In Salzburg they hope to find out more in the next two weeks with a view to the games in the Europa League sixteenth-finals against Villarreal in February (18/25 February).
Salzburg stays in Austria
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, a trip to warmer climes was not feasible this year, which shouldn’t matter due to the good training conditions at home. Marsch does not see the short winter break this time as a disadvantage.
“The break wasn’t that long, so the guys are still fit and ready to put pressure on in training for the next few weeks,” said the 47-year-old. Defensive behavior was addressed in the first training session. Fifteen goals conceded in the autumn of the Bundesliga were too many, Sturm Graz only received five and LASK ten. According to Marsch, you can generally play better, even if the starting positions are good in all competitions.
The start of the new year was clouded a little by a coronavirus case in the squad. The player concerned gave a positive result during the tests on Monday. He is currently without symptoms and is already in quarantine, as Salzburg announced on Tuesday afternoon. The team entered a five-day team quarantine in accordance with the prevention concept – and as was already specified for the start of training.
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