Hamburg’s secret weapon: how Polzin plans to use super-sub Elfadli | OneFootball

Daniel Elfadli is considered a hot contender for the captaincy at HSV. This is due in no small part to the many options he offers to coach Merlin Polzin.

Both HSV fans and officials hold Daniel Elfadli in equally high regard. The 28-year-old, who came from 1. FC Magdeburg in the summer of 2024, is currently experiencing a positional shift within the Hamburg defense, which provides insight into his future role.

While Elfadli played as a right central defender in the newly formed three-man defense in the test matches against Copenhagen and Graz, showing unusual inattentiveness, he was recently tested more often in a central role. This was the case against Olympique Lyon, where he performed his task remarkably well in the second half.

As another defensive player with potential to be a regular starter for the right central defense is expected to arrive, it seems clear: Elfadli is competing with Aboubaka Soumahoro for the central position in the three-man defense.

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Midfield Role for Elfadli Possible

For Polzin, the German-Libyan is a tactical trump card. From the start of the preparation, the head coach had emphasized that Elfadli's versatility gives the coaching team enormous flexibility. "The nice thing about Daniel is that you can decide relatively quickly how to use him," says Polzin. A role on the six is also conceivable, but it depends on the further development of the squad.

In central midfield, he would compete with Jonas Meffert and the new arrivals Nicolai Remberg and Nicolas Capaldo for playing time. Depending on the opponent and chosen approach to the game, this lineup could, however, lack the necessary offensive power.

Either way: Elfadli remains a central component in Polzin's plans. This is underlined not least by the contract extension announced on Sunday until 2028. The defensive all-rounder is also considered a leader within the team and thus a hot contender for the captaincy.

Sebastian Schonlau is likely to lose this position due to his loss of sporting significance. Alongside Miro Muheim, Elfadli is the most promising candidate for the succession.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.