"Werder's equipment or personnel arrived at the Zillertal training facility?"
Werder Bremen returned from their summer training camp in Zillertal, Austria, following a mixed bag of results and promising transfer discussions. The team, under the guidance of new coach Horst Steffen, was able to execute their plans during the camp, despite Steffen not pushing the players too hard.
Despite the weather being the worst it's ever been in Austria, the main pitch remained unaffected, allowing the team to train effectively. However, the team's performances in the two test matches against TSG Hoffenheim were less than satisfactory, resulting in two losses - 0:1 and 0:3.
The defeats against Hoffenheim dampened the spirits of the Bremen team, but Steffen remains optimistic. In an interview with Bremen Eins, sports reporter Dino Bernabeo shared his conclusions about the training camp, stating that Steffen was satisfied overall but acknowledged the need for improvement.
One of the most significant developments during the training camp was Werder Bremen's active pursuit of a permanent transfer for striker André Silva from RB Leipzig. Silva, who scored 10 goals in 32 appearances during his loan spell at Bremen last season, is high on Werder's list.
Negotiations for a transfer fee around €8-10 million are underway, and Leipzig is open to the deal, especially as Silva’s contract runs until 2026 but he was excluded from Leipzig’s preseason, signaling their willingness to sell. Silva himself is reportedly willing to accept a significant pay cut to join Bremen permanently, despite his relatively high salary of around €7 million at Leipzig.
This transfer pursuit is somewhat surprising given Silva’s initially mixed loan spell at Bremen, where he struggled for form and playing time at first. However, Bremen’s management seems convinced enough by his potential and experience to consider making the deal permanent, seeing it as a gamble worth taking for their Bundesliga campaign.
The Bremen team also faced challenges in the attacking department, with Justin Njinmah not yet in form and Keke Topp not yet experienced enough to score goals consistently. This has prompted Werder to look for another striker, with Silva high on their list.
The training camp was generally good for Steffen, who had the opportunity to get to know the players well. He held many conversations with the players during the camp, aiming to build a strong rapport and establish a clear vision for the team.
Despite the disappointing results, the training camp provided a valuable opportunity for Steffen to assess the team's strengths and weaknesses and plan for the upcoming season. With the transfer of Silva potentially on the horizon, Bremen fans can look forward to a revitalized attack in the upcoming Bundesliga campaign.
[1] Werder Bremen pursuing permanent transfer for André Silva
[2] Werder Bremen looking to sign André Silva permanently
[3] André Silva open to joining Werder Bremen permanently
[4] Werder Bremen and RB Leipzig in talks for André Silva transfer
[1] Werder Bremen, after their training camp, are actively pursuing a permanent transfer for striker André Silva from RB Leipzig.[2] The Bundesliga team, looking to strengthen their attack, are planning to sign André Silva permanently.
