The (real) return of Josko Gvardiol: RB Leipzig’s key defender… and playmaker

Nothing seems to be going right for RB Leipzig this season. They’ve hired a new head coach, a new sporting director (who technically won’t start until the end of the year) and a flashy new left-back from right under the nose of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. And none of them have seemingly managed to make a difference. 

Marco Rose is already on shaking ground, Max Eberl may end up inheriting a club in turmoil and David Raum’s start to life in Saxony was recently lambasted by none other than the man he pushed out the door upon his arrival, when Angelino stated in a recent Hoffenheim match programme that his new club “made the better deal.” And that’s without even mentioning Timo Werner’s Jekyll & Hyde form for club and country. 

However, this international break has allowed the club and their new head coach to gather their thoughts and tackle the next list of fixtures with a fresh impetus. And one player in particular may finally be able to step up and prove to be the missing factor for a team that has mysteriously fallen to pieces this season.