There are only two centre-forwards in Union Berlin’s squad. The Iron Ones want to add more players before the end of the transfer window. Sporting director Horst Heldt has now commented on this.
Jordan was rarely able to assert himself in Mainz. IMAGO/Matthias Koch
Chris Bedia? Loaned to English second division club Hull City. Ivan Prtajin? Was not in the squad against Mainz due to muscular problems. The new signing from Wehen Wiesbaden also did not impress in pre-season. Loan returnee Jordan? His stature makes him ideal for the role of centre forward, but he seems clumsy and lacks the necessary assertiveness in the penalty area. In the test matches and the competitive matches in Greifswald (1:0) and Mainz (1:1), it became clear that Union has a problem in attack and the search for an attacker will remain the central issue in Berlin-Köpenick until the end of the transfer period.
Union’s new sporting director Horst Heldt admitted this at least between the lines in the Stahlwerk-Doppelpass. “There is no doubt that we still have gaps,” said the 54-year-old. “We have a shortcoming in terms of quantity. That’s why we will probably make a decision before the end of the period.” On the other hand, he also defended Jordan, who has been disappointing so far: “For me, he is not only measured by how many goals he scores. He is a striker who also initiates attacks and can hold onto the ball.”
Union continues to deal with Ache
But someone has to score goals. So far, midfielders like Laszlo Benes or the wingers Benedict Hollerbach and Yorbe Vertessen have been responsible for this. Although Jordan can hold onto the ball with his back to the wall and assert himself after long balls, the American often makes the wrong decisions and is not where a striker should be when it comes to crosses or rebounds. As a result, he rarely gets into a scoring position. That was the case at least once in Mainz, but he failed from very close range against Mainz keeper Robin Zentner.
So it is only understandable and logical that Union Berlin would like to sign a new striker before the end of the transfer window at the end of August. As has been reported several times, Ragnar Ache from second division club Kaiserslautern is highly sought after. The 26-year-old scored the decisive goal as a substitute in the 1-0 win in Münster on Saturday. An initial offer from the Irons was rejected. The two parties are still in negotiations. After all, the Irons still have a little time to lure Ache or another striker to the capital.
