Transfer of DeGuzman to Leverkusen Almost Done

[Grizzly]

Reiner Calmund is stepping down in a surprise move after years as Bayer Leverkusen's General Manager. He will be leaving for health reasons at the end of the month and gives a run down of the transfer situation at the club. The second paragraph is the relevant one for us. Calmund states that the young Swiss player and teammate of Imhoff at St. Gallen (his rights are owned by Bayer), Tanquillo Barnetta, will transfer to Hannover. Part of the compensation is a transfer of DeGuzman to Bayer Leverkusen. Calmund implies that this and the Freier for Preuss deal with Bochum are pretty much done deals with only a few details to be worked out.

Freier-Transfer vor Abschluss

Offenbar steht der Wechsel von Paul Freier zu Bayer Leverkusen unmittelbar vor dem Abschluss. Nach seinem Rücktritt als Bayer-Geschäftsführer sagte Reiner Calmund: "Es hat gute Gespräche mit Bochums Präsident Altegoer gegegeben. Wir sind uns nicht nur menschlich, sondern auch finanziell näher gekommen. Ich gehe davon aus, dass Paul Freier in der nächsten Saison in Leverkusen spielt." Im Gegenzug soll "U21"-Nationalspieler Christoph Preuß, den Bayer an Eintracht Frankfurt ausgeliehen hatte, nach Bochum wechseln.

Clamund berichtete auch, dass der Schweizer Tanquillo Barnetta vom FC St. Gallen - Leverkusen besaß eine Option auf den Nachwuchsspieler - zu Hannover 96 transferiert werde. Teil des Geschäfts dürfte im Gegenzug ein Wechsel von 96-Profi Julian de Guzman zur Bayer-Elf sein.

Weiterhin bahne sich im Fall Jan Simak eine Entscheidung an. "Wir hatten ein gutes Gespräch mit seinem Berater. Da wird sich eine gute Lösung finden, egal wie der Verein auch heißen wird", so Calmund weiter. Simak war in der vergangenen Saison an Hannover 96 ausgeliehen, der Tscheche zog sich jedoch nach dem ersten Saisondrittel aufgrund eines Erschöpfungssyndroms in seine Heimat zurück. Zur neuen Saison steht Simak eigentlich bei Bayer wieder unter Vertrag.

[Cheeta]

Sounds good to me.

Was wondering if De Guzman's presence in the Canadian midfield over Stalteri is as much a vote of confidence by Yallop as it is his personal preference at having Diesel at fullback.

I'd rather Paul in the midfield myself but if Yallop figures little if anything is lost by using De Guzman in the center mid. in place of Stalteri, to me, that's a huge vote of confidence. Not to mention a healthy helping of responsability.

Think he may be onto something. Jazic and Diesel on the flanks. De Guzman as provider in the middle. Can't wait to see.

[MikeD]

Yes, he may be on to something. But wouldn't it be even better to have DeGuzman and Stalteri in midfield? Perhaps Imhoff could play fullback like he did against Wales...

[Desigol]

Hopefuly he can get a regular Spot in the Team.

[Grizzly]

The Freier transfer to Bayer and the loan of Barnetta to Hannover that Calmund mentioned are now official so hopefully the DeGuzman one will follow shortly. The latest in Kicker is that Hannover wants to keep DeGuzman but Bayer is planning and speaking of him as almost officially transferred and he is once again being spoken as being involved in the trade for Brdaric and not Barnetta.

There is another article by Bild, a notoriously inaccurate German tabloid stating that they think he will stay with Hanover because of Calmund's resignation. The poster of the article on transfermarkt.de says he wishes in this case he could make an exception and believe what Bild writes. The article states (with some pride) that DeGuzman found out about Calmund's resignation from Bild newspaper while he was in "far away Canada". DeGuzman is quoted as saying, "Naturally his resignation has an effect on my decision. I spoke with him on the telephone three times. He was my most important contact with Bayer." Bild's interpretation of this statement follows: DeGuzman now wants to stay with Hannover. Hannover's manager Kaenzig is reported to be increasing his efforts to keep him and states, "One feels a certain amount of uncertainty when speaking with him. I don't have the impression that Julien is 100% set on Bayer yet. That is a positive sign for us." Then it states that club president Kind wants him to stay not just for this year but to extend his contract. Bild then states that everything could drag on for a while because he has an extra week of holiday because of WM qualification and mentions the game against Belize. On the 3rd of July he will return to Germany and promises, "I will land in Hannover." to which Bild adds (in regards to landing in Hannover):for a long time. This article and its conclusions from rather vague quotes is pretty ridiculous but does give an impression of the high regard in which DeGuzman is viewed and how much Hannover wants to keep him.

The third thing in my post is a response from the Hannover fan who posted the Bild article to a question from another poster who says he doesn't know much about DeGuzman but that all of the posters are saying great things about him and he wonders if he is really as good as they say. He replies that DeGuzman is sometimes too hurried and loses too many balls unnecessarily because of this and because of his size is poor at heading balls. However, he has everything needed to have success with a top club, very strong technical skills, super ball reception and a dribbling dynamic that should not be underestimated. In addition he has a strong shot and confidence in his positioning. Like Schweinsteiger he does not hide in critical situations but rather demands the ball and drives his team forward. He still has room to improve but the improvement he has made in the last two years has been very impressive. In the author's opinion the question is not whether he is good enough for Bayer but whether Bayer needs him at the present moment. In his opinion they do not as they have Balitsch and Ramelow at his position and are thus have the strongest outside midfield of any Bundesliga team. In addition if they needed a player such as DeGuzman they could call back loaned out Cristoph Preuss who the author considers a similar style of player and at about the same point in his development as DeGuzman. (However, Preuss is being mentioned as part of the compensation for Freier.)

Kicker

Eine weitere offene Baustelle ist die Zukunft von Mittelfeldjuwel Julian de Guzman (23), den Hannover noch immer halten will, Leverkusen jedoch schon beinahe fest als Zugang für die kommende Saison einplant. Immerhin: Der Kanadier könnte als Tauschobjekt wiederum eine Option im Poker um Brdaric sein.

Bild Zeitung

Ein Tausch mit Brdaric wird es nicht geben! Dieser Kuhhandel ist schon lange nicht mehr aktuell.

Martin Kind hat erklärt, dass De Guzman nächstes Jahr auf jeden Fall in Hannover spielen wird. Wenn man der BILD glauben möchte (und das möchte ich in diesem Fall mal ausnahmsweise!), dann könnte die ganze Sache doch noch ein gutes Ende nehmen.

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Calmunds Rücktritt und die Folgen für Hannover

Jetzt will de Guzman bleiben!

Von GREGOR RUHMÖLLER

Die Nachricht erreichte ihn im fernen Kanada.

Julian de Guzman - seit Wochen grübelt er über ein Angebot von Leverkusen. Der Mittelfeldmann (Vertrag bei 96 bis 2005) wollte schon in diesem Sommer wechseln. Hat sich geändert...

Durch BILD erfuhr er vom plötzlichen Rücktritt von Bayer-Manager Reiner Calmund.

Der hat Folgen für Hannover 96 - und für de Guzman. Der kleine Kanadier: „Natürlich hat der Rücktritt Bedeutung für meine Entscheidung. Ich habe drei Mal mit Calmund telefoniert. Er war mein wichtigster Ansprechpartner bei Bayer."

Im Klartext: Jetzt will de Guzman wohl doch bleiben!

Während eine Verhandlungs-Runde mit Bayer und de Guzmans Berater lohn Linse in dieser Woche abgesagt wurde, verstärkte 96-Manager Ilja Kaenzig seine Bemühungen um den Nationalspieler. Am späten Dienstagabend telefonierte er mit ihm. Auch gestern Abend hängte sich Kaenzig ans Telefon, um mit de Guzman zu reden.

Der Manager: „Man spürt im Gespräch mit ihm eine gewisse Unsicherheit. Ich habe nicht den Eindruck, dass Julian noch 100prozentig auf Bayer fixiert ist. Das ist in positives Zeichen für uns."

Und vielleicht die Chance, de Guzman längerfristig zu binden. Geht's nach Boss Martin Kind, wird der Kanadier nicht nur für nächste Saison gehalten. Seit Vertrag soll sogar vorzeitig verlängert werden.

Kann aber noch dauern. Wegen Länderspielen (Sonntag WM-Qualifikation gegen Belize) hat de Guzman eine Woche länger Urlaub. Am 3. Juli kommt er zurück. De Guzman verspricht: „Ich werde in Hannover landen." Und das wohl für noch lange Zeit.

Transfermarkt.de

Er ist teilweise noch sehr überhastet und verliert dadurch unnötig viele Bälle. Desweiteren ist er körpergrößenbedingt kein Kopfballungeheuer.

Er bringt aber alles mit um sich auch bei einem Topklub durchzusetzen. Sehr saubere Technik, super Antritt und dadurch eine nicht zu unterschätzende Dynamik im Dribbling. Dazu ein satter Schuss und eine ordentliche Position Selbstvertrauen. Ähnlich wie Schweinsteiger versteckt er sich in kritischen Situationen nicht, sondern fordert viele Bälle und treibt die Mannschaft nach vorne.

Ist natürlich alles noch steigerungsfähig, aber der Sprung den er in den letzten beiden Jahren gemacht hat, war schon beeindruckend.

edit: Die Frage ist nicht, ob er gut genug für Leverkusen ist, sondern ob Bayer ihn überhaupt braucht. Die Antwort ist definitiv "nein"!

Bayer hat für seine Stammposition schon Balitsch und Ramelow. Auf den Außenbahnen seit ihr eh schon so gut besetzt wie kein anderes BuLi Team. Wenn wirklich Bedarf an einem Spielertypen wie De Guzman bestanden hätte, wäre es einfacher gewesen Christoph Preuß zurückzuholen. Die beiden sind ähnlich flexibel und ähnlich weit in ihrem Reifeprozess.

[Grizzly]

DeGuzman has promised Hannover not to make a decision on the transfer until he returns to Germany in early July. He states that the resignation of Calmund has made everything more complicated since he had arranged everything with him and that he has to talk with the club again. He says that Bayer's offer was financially very good and that Champion's League play is a factor. Hannover coach states that he was their best player at the latter part of the season but warns him about the possibility of not being a starter at Bayer and possibly playing on the Reserves. It seems like the decision at this point is DeGuzman's because the offer is on the table and if he doesn't sign a contract extension with Hannover they will probably transfer him instead of losing him next year without a transfer fee.

aus der Neuen Presse:

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Wechsel: 96-Star de Guzman vertagt Entscheidung

Julian de Guzman hat 96 zugesagt, vor seiner Rückkehr nach Deutschland Anfang Juli keine Entscheidung über einen Wechsel zu fällen.

Wenn wir behaupten, Julian de Guzman war in den letzten Wochen der Saison der beste 96-Spieler, dann stimmt Trainer Ewald Lienen sofort zu. „So ist es.”

Es stimmt aber auch, dass der 23-Jährige ein Angebot aus Leverkusen vorliegen hat. „Das ist sehr attraktiv, finanziell und dann mit Spielen in der Champions League”, sagt de Guzman.

Wir erreichen ihn in Kanada – er bereitet sich mit der Nationalelf auf die WM-Qualifikation vor. Die beginnt mit Spielen am Sonntag und am Mittwoch gegen Belize.

Der 96-Trainer bestellte de Guzman zum 7. Juli nach Hannover. Er will jedoch schon „am 4. oder 5. Juli kommen”. Dennoch bleibt unklar, ob er überhaupt nochmal für 96 spielen wird.

De Guzman besitzt zwar noch einen Vertrag bis 2005, auf dem 96 bestehen könnte. Sollte er sich jedoch auf einen Wechsel festlegen, müsste 96 prüfen: Wie viel ist das eine Jahr de Guzman wert?

Denn jetzt könnte 96 Ablöse fordern, 2005 gibt es nichts mehr. Auch der Kanadier „weiß noch nicht genau, was ich will. Ich brauche Zeit zum Nachdenken.” Dabei hat der Rücktritt des Bayer-Geschäftsführers Reiner Calmund die 96-Position verbessert.

„Es gibt nun das Problem mit Calmund, ich hatte ja alles mit ihm besprochen”, erklärt de Guzman. Demnach war mit Bayer alles klar, nun aber ist er verunsichert: Gilt die Vereinbarung mit Calmund weiter?

„Ich muss mit Leverkusen erst reden”, sagt de Guzman.

Telefoniert hat er lange mit dem 96-Trainer, Lienen warnte vor dem Reservisten-Schicksal bei Bayer. „Es ist eine schwierige Entscheidung” für de Guzman, „ich war glücklich in Hannover.”

Immerhin macht er ein Zugeständnis: „Ich habe mit 96 vereinbart, dass vor meiner Rückkehr nach Hannover nichts passiert.” Aber kann diese Ankündigung 96 wirklich zuversichtlich stimmen?

[bettermirror]

with a possible lack of playing time i'd really be hesitant. look what happened to hirsch. however, he could show up and command a spot through his play just diesel did. he's still quite young. plus with him and donovan next year they could really enjoy the athleticism and speed they'd bring to the table in a combo.

[BearcatSA]

quote:Originally posted by MikeD

Yes, he may be on to something. But wouldn't it be even better to have DeGuzman and Stalteri in midfield? Perhaps Imhoff could play fullback like he did against Wales...

Doesn't Imhoff usually play the defensive, holding midfield role for his club? Doesn't the Diesel usually play right back or right wing back for his club? It just seems to make more sense to keep players in familiar positions, especially considering they don't play together on a regular basis, like a club. It provides one less thing to worry about.

Personally, I'm looking forward to having a De Guzman - Imhoff partnership, with the Diesel chugging up and down the flank providing overlapping crossing service for the strikers.

[marcl_19]

quote:Originally posted by BearcatSA

Doesn't Imhoff usually play the defensive, holding midfield role for his club? Doesn't the Diesel usually play right back or right wing back for his club? It just seems to make more sense to keep players in familiar positions, especially considering they don't play together on a regular basis, like a club. It provides one less thing to worry about.

Personally, I'm looking forward to having a De Guzman - Imhoff partnership, with the Diesel chugging up and down the flank providing overlapping crossing service for the strikers.

Very Good points. I agree almost 100% with yer point on playing players in the same places as they do with their clubs. but sometimes the club plays a different system and that makes it impossible to put guys in the same spots...

[BearcatSA]

quote:Originally posted by marcl_19

Very Good points. I agree almost 100% with yer point on playing players in the same places as they do with their clubs. but sometimes the club plays a different system and that makes it impossible to put guys in the same spots...

Playing in the centre is quite a bit different than playing on the flank, regardless of the system; besides, maybe Staltieri prefers to be on the right flank. We haven't heard him whining about not playing centre midfield for the national team, so maybe he feels happy about his position.

I would like to see a run of matches featuring a right side of Staltieri and Hume; the latter can play like a winger, but likes to move into the centre and has shown he has a wicked shot off his left foot when taking players on cutting across the edge of the box. That also leaves overlapping space for the Diesel to exploit his good crossing ability.

[devioustrevor]

quote:Originally posted by BearcatSA

Doesn't Imhoff usually play the defensive, holding midfield role for his club? Doesn't the Diesel usually play right back or right wing back for his club? It just seems to make more sense to keep players in familiar positions, especially considering they don't play together on a regular basis, like a club. It provides one less thing to worry about.

Personally, I'm looking forward to having a De Guzman - Imhoff partnership, with the Diesel chugging up and down the flank providing overlapping crossing service for the strikers.

I think Stalteri plays left back at Werder Bremen.

[ditty]

quote:Originally posted by bettermirror

with a possible lack of playing time i'd really be hesitant. look what happened to hirsch. however, he could show up and command a spot through his play just diesel did. he's still quite young. plus with him and donovan next year they could really enjoy the athleticism and speed they'd bring to the table in a combo.

There's always a risk in going to bigger club but keep in my mind that Hannover originally picked up DeGuzman to merely fill out their roster, as they put it, when they were promoted. I think the opportunity to play in the Champions League is worth the risk.

[Hannover96Girl]

http://epaper01.niedersachsen.com/eZeitung/2004070702089html1/htmlstories/0706205320_c11e318f_16.html

http://epaper01.niedersachsen.com/eZeitung/2004070702089html1/htmlstories/0706205320_c11e318f_8.html

De Guzman arrived in Hannover today.

Quote from that article:

"The midfielder has postponed his intended transfer to Bayer Leverkusen. ... Bayer wanted him to play for them this season but 96 demanded de Guzman to fufill his contract."

[Luis_Rancagua]

quote:Originally posted by Hannover96Girl

http://epaper01.niedersachsen.com/eZeitung/2004070702089html1/htmlstories/0706205320_c11e318f_16.html

http://epaper01.niedersachsen.com/eZeitung/2004070702089html1/htmlstories/0706205320_c11e318f_8.html

De Guzman arrived in Hannover today.

Quote from that article:

"The midfielder has postponed his intended transfer to Bayer Leverkusen. ... Bayer wanted him to play for them this season but 96 demanded de Guzman to fufill his contract."

Thanks for the update. Do you think you could find further info on Tam Nsaliwa. According to www.transfermarkt.de, it appears that he has been released by Jahn Regensberg. Jahn Regensberg have recently been demoted to Regionalliga. It is the same thing for another Canadan player Victor Oppong. His club FC Saarbrücken (newly promoted to Bundesliga-2) have also released him.