The change in Union reinforcement schedule and the inopportune scenario for Tzolakis

In a transfer window, news and news recycling is only a matter of time. Perhaps the Berliner Kurier’s report on the alleged signing of Constantinos Tzolakis from Union Berlin came too late.

And while the German publication itself has softened – and almost flattened – the tones regarding the possible validity of the case at hand, clarifying the situation is probably necessary to at least avoid further recycling.

Union’s search for a goalkeeper is not current. It’s been around for quite a while, almost since the middle of last season. The original plan was to find a talented, developing keeper who would take a clear number two in the goalkeeping trio behind undisputed starter Frederik Runov and ahead of undisputed third Jakob Busk.

There was even an age limit for this search, which was 24 years. And that’s why two candidates appeared in the media: the goalkeeper from the academies of Bayern Austria Wien (German) Christian Frichtl and Tzolakis. The Berliner Kurier report emphasizes that these two goalkeepers emerged from “transfer rumours”.

And both point out the reasons why they are no longer what union officials are looking for, precisely because the design and requirements have changed. Significantly, it is written for the Greek national goalkeeper: “If the Berliners turned to his case, it would be better to keep Grill.”

Former substitute Lennart Grill embodies Union’s change of focus. As the 24-year-old keeper was permanently overshadowed by Runov, it was decided to loan him out to Osnabrik (2nd division) in order to get playing time and thus be rated.

He was not considered to be sufficiently equipped to serve the newly created conditions for Union by securing the Champions League ticket and thus the inevitable need for an upgrade in the goalkeeper positions.

That means Union have been looking for around a month, not for a “talented, viable even as a 24-year-old” goalkeeper who would simply suffice as a permanent substitute, but for someone who will shape Runov’s life from a difficult if not contested starting position , be at least 100% fit to play +15 (minimum) games in the coming season.

The talent and perspective of Tzolakis are beyond doubt. And indeed, the scouting of the Berliners shaped him. But now the facts that could immediately benefit him in the search have changed completely for last year’s Bundesliga fourth.

Olympiacos are not even included in any of this and the Red and Whites, whose demands would exceed even the Union’s highest prices (if…) are completely ignored in the discussion – in which they were never involved anyway calmly.

This is all the more true as the international goalkeeper seems to be building on the excellent performance of the previous year in summer training and is now fighting for the starting position for the new season.