The Dutch duo will be heading towards the exit door after failing to nail down a regular spot in the Hoffenheim starting line-up.
Ryan Babel joined Hoffenheim from Liverpool in a deal reported to be around 8 million Pounds. The former Ajax winger had a somewhat turbulent career in England, where he made 91 appearances scoring 12 goals for the Merseyside Club.
After moving to Hoffenheim, Babel established himself as a permanent fixture in Holger Stanislawski’s side. Despite being a regular starter the winger was not able to pull his team up the Bundesliga table. He only managed to find
the back of the net five times in forty six appearances.
Another player who is also being pushed towards the exit door is Babel’s fellow Dutchman Edson Braafheid. The much travelled left full-back joined Hoffenheim from fellow Bundesliga club Bayern Munich for an undisclosed fee. He
scored a solitary goal in 33 appearances for the club. The former Utrecht man had a poor disciplinary record at the club and was shaky defensively.
Hoffenheim boss Markus Babbel reveals that the club are willing to listen to offers, and have listed the Dutch duo on transfer list. The former Bayern man also revealed that no club has contacted them to enquire about the players.
"I told them that we [Hoffenheim] are ready to talk if they have other options. So far though, I have heard nothing," the manager is quoted as saying in an interview.
The manager was not particularly impressed by Babel’s attitude and this was a major factor in deciding to let him go. Markus Babbel took a parting shot at the player as he revealed that he would rather work with players who do
their talking on the pitch. The former Liverpool man is known to have a high opinion of himself.
"I do not need to train world champions, but players who can show on the pitch what they can do," he added.
Both players failed to make it into the Netherland’s European Championships’ squad. Of these two Dutchmen, Babel could prove to be an absolute steal if he is available on the cheap. The winger has had attitude problems in the past,
which in turn have affected his on field performances.
He needs a manager who can guide him and discipline him, so he can fulfil his true potential.
Tags: