After an impressive campaign in the Bundesliga last season under Thomas Tuchel, new Mainz 05 boss Kasper Hjulmand is expected to maintain and build upon the clubs achievements of 2013/14. Hjulmand has already begun business and negotiations as his squad takes shape for pre-season. Greek Goalkeeper Stefanos Kapino has joined from Panathinaikos, Chile international Gonzalo Jara who impressed at this summer’s World Cup in Brazil also signed a 2-year deal after joining on a costless, Daniel Bosinski signed from Greuther Fürth. Eric Choupo-Moting departed for Schalke and Shawn Parker signed a four-year contract with Augsburg, Kresic and Wetklo were further departures as they respectively joined Bayer Leverkusen and Darmstadt.
The real recognised change to the squad is the parting of Choupo-Moting, who registered 20 goals in 74 Bundesliga appearances for Mainz. He was influential in Mainz Europa League qualification last campaign and Hjulmand will be aware that he will need to be replaced, if the club intend to improve on last season’s attainments.
A player looking likely to fill the Cameroonian forward's void is Filip Djuricic of Benfica according the Kicker. The 22-year old Serbian is contracted with the last seasons Europa League runners up until 2018, but it is thought that Jorge Jesus wants to loan him out and send him off into Europe to help him develop as a player, through maximising his minutes on the pitch, which is something that Hjulmand is prepared to offer at the Coface Arena.
In the season of 2012/2013, Djuricic was identified as one of Europe’s hottest young prospects as he thrived in the Eredivisie (a league renowned for unearthing youth and talent through its history) with Heerenveen. Benfica saw off several clubs to secure his signature for a fee of around €8million. The Serbian (who had a trial at Manchester United in 2009) spent three seasons in Holland where he possessed the nickname “Cruyff of Balkam”, hugely complementary. However this nickname was somewhat forgotten when he travelled to Portugal. Although he picked up a Portuguese league title winners medal in his first season, he failed to find the net, and only made eleven appearances. It is thought that Djuricic has a buy-out clause in his contract of €40m, which demonstrates his potential, and how much Benfica value him as a player.
Kasper Hjulmand told press Wednesday that he wants to get a deal for another offensive player done, before his side travel to England on the 21st of July to commence pre-season training at camp at the English Football Association, Birmingham.