After two and a half years on loan, Ben Bobzien is back in the Mainz 05 jersey, and coach Bo Henriksen is confident that he will make the leap into the Bundesliga squad this time. Nadiem Amiri even considers him an insider tip.
Nadiem Amiri’s praise will mean a lot to him. The Mainz player with the number 10 on his back describes Ben Bobzien as an “insider tip” for a fantasy football game. “But only from January,” says Amiri with a grin, “because he still needs a little time.”
Bobzien showed his gratitude in his own way during the 5-0 friendly win against Seekirchen. When he found himself one-on-one with the third-division opposition’s goalkeeper after half an hour, he played the ball across goal. Amiri had only to tap it in to make it 3-0.
Coach Bo Henriksen sees 22-year-old Bobzien, who has been on loan to SV Elversberg, Austria Lustenau, and Austria Klagenfurt for the past two and a half years, primarily in the position in the half-spaces behind the lone striker. Against Seekirchen, he played alongside Hyunseok Hong. Paul Nebel and Jae-Sung Lee, who filled this role very successfully last season, came on in the second half – the coach made a complete change.
Henriksen says Bobzien has room for improvement when it comes to defending. “Of course, I want to work on that. I try to give it my all every day, then we’ll see what happens,” says the player. In the rankings for the number eight position, he is ahead of Nebel, Lee, and Hong, although it is unclear whether Hong will be transferred.
Bobzien can look to Nebel for guidance
“I accept the competition,” emphasizes Bobzien, who can look to Nebel’s career path for guidance. A year ago, he returned from a two-year loan spell at Karlsruher SC and made a big impact in the Bundesliga with ten goals and six assists. “I don’t see him as a role model per se, because ultimately every player has to find their own way. But it’s good to see how Paul and other players who have come through the youth ranks are making their mark at the top,” says Bobzien.
Henriksen says Bobzien has room for improvement when it comes to defending. “Of course, I want to work on that. I try to give it my all every day, then we’ll see what happens,” says the player. In the rankings for the number eight position, he is ahead of Nebel, Lee, and Hong, although it is unclear whether Hong will be leaving the club.
Bobzien can use Nebel as a role model
“I accept the competition,” emphasizes Bobzien, who can use Nebel’s career path as a role model. A year ago, he returned from a two-year loan spell at Karlsruher SC and made a big impact in the Bundesliga with ten goals and six assists. “I don’t see him as a role model per se, because at the end of the day, every player has to find his own way. But it’s good to see how Paul and other players who have come through the youth ranks are making their mark at the top,” says Bobzien.
