How do Frankfurt replace a player like Omar Marmoush?

Hugo Ekitiké alone won't be enough to compensate for the Egyptian's goals and assists. But Dino Toppmöller may have a plan.

Football managers are often accused of being a little too media savvy in the modern game. Alongside their trusty tactics board, booklets full of training programmes and expert man-management skills, most head coaches are also well-versed in turning any press conference into a dull, forgettable affair. But sometimes they say something that instinctively raises an eyebrow.

Eintracht Frankfurt head coach Dino Toppmöller did exactly that prior to his side’s somewhat frustrating 2-2 draw with Hoffenheim at the weekend, when he was asked about the recent record sale of Omar Marmoush to Manchester City. While the club’s accountants were still gleefully counting out the €75 million they received for a player that had joined the club on a free transfer just 18 months before, Toppmöller had been left with the unenviable task of replacing one of European football’s most in-form goalscorers. And he wasn’t entirely prepared to shy away from that fact.

"Of course, with Omar Marmoush leaving, he will have to take on even more responsibility," confirmed Toppmöller, when asked about his other star striker, Hugo Ekitiké, taking over for his departed team mate. "It looks and feels like he is totally ready for it, and he also likes to shoulder this burden… Today I told him in front of the team that he is doing a great job at the moment and that that is the key. He is on a great path and a good boy." Perhaps Toppmöller was just speaking matter of factly. He’d just lost a goalscorer, so obviously the other goalscorer in his team would have to pick up the slack. But the manner in which he used the word “burden” was rather telling. And sums up the monumental task ahead of the Eagles: can Ekitiké single-handedly replace their star forward?