Jens Castrop's Debut with Korean National Team Sparks Debate on His Uncertain Club Future at Borussia Mönchengladbach

Jens Castrop, who recently made waves in Korea with his debut for the national team, is reportedly facing an uncertain future at his club, Borussia Mönchengladbach, according to German media sources.

On September 10 (KST), German outlet Bild reported that Castrop's place within Borussia Mönchengladbach remains in question. Castrop, who made his first-team debut for Nürnberg in 2022, played as both a central midfielder and a right-back, amassing seven goals and nine assists in 92 appearances over four seasons. Ahead of the current campaign, he transferred to Borussia Mönchengladbach, making his entry into the Bundesliga. So far, he has featured as a substitute in three league games.

Castrop's promising performances earned him a spot on the national team roster for friendlies during the September tour of the United States. Born to a German father and a Korean mother, Castrop drew considerable attention as the first multiracial player ever called up to the Korean national football team.

He made his A-match debut in the United States, coming on as a substitute in the 63rd minute. Although his time on the pitch was brief, he left a strong impression with his hallmark ball retention skills and proactive defensive efforts. In the subsequent fixture against Mexico, Castrop started and showcased high work rate, pressing, and stable build-up play before being substituted at halftime.

Despite his growing reputation at the international level, Bild expressed concern regarding Castrop’s club situation. The media outlet pointed out, “During the international break, Castrop missed valuable training sessions and a friendly against Schalke—key opportunities to impress manager Gerardo Seoane. Moreover, following his trip to the United States, he is expected to have difficulty regaining full training rhythm due to jet lag.”

Bild further stated, “Should Castrop wish to realize his World Cup dream, the situation is unlikely to improve during the October international break, especially with more long-haul international fixtures in Asia.”

Currently, Borussia Mönchengladbach's starting right-back, Joe Scally, is sidelined with an injury. In a recent friendly against Schalke, Oscar Fraulo filled the void, with Kevin Dickx also available as another option. By contrast, Castrop, after being substituted into the recent Stuttgart match and subsequently conceding a goal, appears to have fallen out of favor with the manager—raising questions over his club standing.

Nevertheless, Castrop’s primary position remains in central midfield. With Borussia Mönchengladbach’s key midfielder Julian Weigl having recently departed, Castrop’s ability to play both midfield and full-back could become increasingly valuable to the team as the season progresses.

Club director Roland Virkus also voiced support for Castrop, saying, “Jens is a young player. We absolutely do not criticize young players for making mistakes. It’s part of the learning process, and we are confident he will come good.”

Note “This article was translated from the original Korean version using AI assistance, and subsequently edited by a native-speaking journalist.”

Photo=Yonhap News/AFP, Jens Castrop SNS