We could have two very good recruits on our hands. But there’s a catch…
Bolton have announced the signing of free agent Jan Kirchhoff.
The German midfielder, who was converted from defence by Sam Allardyce at Sunderland (I wonder if he has done that to any other players?) started well in England, but an-injury wrecked spell meant he played just 22 league games in 18 months, and now comes to the Macron to get his once-promising career back on track – he joined Bayern Munich just as Pep Guardiola came in as manager in Bavaria.
If he can stay fit – which unfortunately is a massive if it seems – then we have a player who potentially is a level above anything we currently have. He`s versatile, can tackle, has a pass in him, and has Bundesliga and Premier League experience. It says a lot that Sunderland fans seemed universally positive about him, and their fans haven`t had a lot to be positive about in recent years.
Chinedu Obasi has also been on trial with us – again, he`s a player not without talent who is aiming to get himself back on track. After starting his career at Lyn, where he played with Ali Al-Habsi, he was part of the Hoffenheim team who won promotion and established themselves in Germany`s top flight. Injuries have plagued his career though, but he has scored 16 goals in his last 36 games. Tellingly though, those were scored amongst a spell of two years, spent in Sweden and China.
If Obasi does sign, it`s two excellent signings. If they`re kept off the treatment table.