What about Pavlenko? He’s not catching on in Bremen and is losing value, fans are calling for his return to goal

Jiří Pavlenka is not having the best year of his career. His Werder side failed to stay among the German elite, after which an injury deprived him of the opportunity to play at the Euros. Moreover, he still hasn’t scored a single competitive start in the new season and his future is unclear.

Werder Bremen in recent seasons have had their work cut out to stay among the elite. Almost every year since his arrival, Jiri Pavlenka has had to fight with his team for top-flight affiliation.

Last season, however, it didn’t work out. One of Germany’s most traditional clubs was relegated to the second league. Subsequently, several key players left the team and the squad changed beyond recognition. However, the native of Hlučín, Silesia, was one of the few stars that remained.

However, after the relegation, Pavlenko seemed to stop doing well in anything. He could have been the number one player at the Euro, where Tomáš Vaclík’s start was not certain due to his health condition. But while Vaclik got himself together and played the whole Euro in great form, Pavlenka dropped out of the nomination due to injury.

Due to his health condition, Pavlenka did not take part in the preparation for the new season with Werder and missed the start of it. For the first five starts he was getting his health back together, but since his recovery he has been playing the role of number two and only warming the bench.

This hierarchical downfall at the club has understandably taken its toll on the player’s value. Back in May, it was equivalent to €5.5 million according to Transfermarkt, but now his value is three million lower.

The performance of his competitor Michael Zetterer is not the most satisfied. Bremen are struggling in the second league and they lack a goalkeeper who can catch something extra. Fans are therefore calling for the return of their beloved “octopus” in comments on social media.

And the reason why Pavlenka is not catching? We can only speculate. Unfortunately, the request for an interview was brushed off. Perhaps the fact that his contract expires in the summer is a big factor. The club’s management could be partly forcing him to sign a new one.

But Werder has nothing to gain. On the contrary. It was the best moment to sell him and benefit financially. Now Pavlenka could leave well below the price, possibly for free.

In addition, he is incomprehensibly losing a goalie who could have helped him to better results. After eleven rounds, Bremen are 10 points behind the top of the table. Schalke are also doing better and last season gave the impression that the German big club’s second league fall may be far from over.

Whatever is behind Pavlenko’s situation, neither side is benefiting. The Silesian goalkeeper was until recently a highly sought-after commodity, but this is how he loses his reputation. And Bremen’s return to the Bundesliga is not looking glorious. It’s possible that they will have to part ways in the summer at the latest.

Source: Werder Bremen, Transfermarkt