Jesper Lindstrom should stay in the Bundesliga for the time being despite catching the eye of Premier League giants Arsenal, Eintracht Frankfurt coach Oliver Glasner explains in quotes reported by Tribal Football.
You only need to look at the toils of another player who left the Commerzbank Arena too early in his development to realise that the grass is not always greener elsewhere.
“It was a great experience for me and I am very honoured to have been part of the biggest club in the world. But I think I went to (Real) Madrid too soon,” admits Jovic, who joined Los Blancos for a staggering £52 million after just two seasons at Frankfurt.
And with Arsenal reportedly opening talks regarding a potential move for Lindstrom, per BILD, Glasner is keen to point out that while the 22-year-old Dane has come on leaps and bounds recently, he is far from the finished article.
Arsenal like Eintracht Frankfurt forward Jesper Lindstrom
“He fits in best with us at the moment,” says the former Wolfsburg coach. “It is important for him to get minutes at the highest level.
“It is also the first time he is playing in the Champions League. When you switch to a big club too quickly, you can sit on the bench without getting minutes, and then you can’t improve any more.
“So I think he is the right place at the moment. And I also think that Frankfurt is the right place next season. And when he has proven himself for a longer period of time, then he can take the next step.”
According to BILD, Frankfurt have raised Lindstrom’s price-tag to £26 million following a run of five goals in seven games from attacking midfield. That includes a sumptuous solo goal against Union Berlin, and an inspired chip vs Bayer Leverkusen.
Luka Jovic’s struggles a cautionary tale
“He is well on his way. He has improved, of course,” Glasner adds. “But it is also important that you are not satisfied with the development.
“We train and talk about some things with him, and he is doing well. He is calmer when he has goal-scoring opportunities. He has good a finish and he has shown that in the last few games.”
Lindstrom, capped six times by Denmark, already has more goals this season than throughout the entirety of his debut campaign on German soil.
“Jesper is still very young but is a huge talent,” Frankfurt team-mate Kevin Trapp tells Sky’s Bundesliga Highlights Show.
“He shows it now more often. He’s (playing at) a high level, he’s on top form. The goal he scored last week against Leverkusen was beautiful and I guess he has a lot of confidence right now.”
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