Soccer's Surprising Vets: The Late Bloomer Phenomenon
Christoph Zimmermann, Darmstadt's stalwart defender, is intrigued by the rising trend of late bloomers in professional soccer, including players like Niclas Füllkrug, Pascal Groß, and Marvin Ducksch, making it to the national team. "It's quite fascinating," Zimmermann shares in an interview with "Kicker." He points out that often, the advice is to crack the scene as young as possible. However, older players like themselves feel they need to prove their worth over an extended period.
According to Zimmermann, Füllkrug's initial placement in the national team came as a shock to many. But, his impressive ratings justified his presence.
Luck and Persistence: The Secret Ingredients
Like many, Zimmermann's journey took a twist of fate. He started with Borussia Mönchengladbach before joining Borussia Dortmund's second team. His big break came when former coach Daniel Farke brought him to Norwich City, and he was promoted to the English Premier League twice. His ongoing success in the Bundesliga with Darmstadt 98 is a cherished achievement, considered far from normal.
Zimmermann, who has a stint in Bundesliga 2 under his belt, found joy in returning to the second tier with Darmstadt while parlaying his success in the English Premier League with Norwich City.
