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Time for a report about him:
Kevin Wimmer is the third of the current central defending talents in Austria (behind Dragovic and Hinteregger). He will certainly be capped more often after this transfer, since Hinteregger will stay in Austria for atleast another season - I hope to see him start against Russia away. Very big game.
He was brought to Köln as an very average talent and had a terrible first season. It is very hard for Austrian players to settle in the Bundesliga/2. Bundesliga, the Germans are used to look down on the players from Austria. He certainly worked on himself, and had two very strong seasons after that.
I personally think, that Wimmer can be one of our best transfers. There aren't many players like him. He's young, strong in the air, good on the ball, can play the opening pass, left-footed and not the slowest. Got him for 7 million euros. If he'd be playing in Spain or here in the Premier League, he'd cost more than double that. Of course, this does not guarantee that he will be the fantastic defender we all are wishing for. But there aren't too many defenders which fit our profile as much as he does.
He is an intelligent defender. The first thing Stöger (coach of Köln) had to do was to settle the defence. They used to be roll over with 5 or 6-0 in the Bundesliga before. Under Stöger, defensive play was the most important aspect. Every player (also the forwards) were learned to defend properly, to defend like a team. Wimmer, Maroh and Horn were organizing the team from the back. They were a big part in their sucessful season and were also their highest rated players among fans.
He didn't have a single individual error this season (apart from a red card in the 90th minute). The only real negative about him is that he doesn't really contribute to offensive play. Rarily scores goals, avoids forward runs and also prefers to stay back at corners. Very old-school defender.
Exciting prospect. Can't wait to see him play in England.
Kevin Wimmer is the third of the current central defending talents in Austria (behind Dragovic and Hinteregger). He will certainly be capped more often after this transfer, since Hinteregger will stay in Austria for atleast another season - I hope to see him start against Russia away. Very big game.
He was brought to Köln as an very average talent and had a terrible first season. It is very hard for Austrian players to settle in the Bundesliga/2. Bundesliga, the Germans are used to look down on the players from Austria. He certainly worked on himself, and had two very strong seasons after that.
I personally think, that Wimmer can be one of our best transfers. There aren't many players like him. He's young, strong in the air, good on the ball, can play the opening pass, left-footed and not the slowest. Got him for 7 million euros. If he'd be playing in Spain or here in the Premier League, he'd cost more than double that. Of course, this does not guarantee that he will be the fantastic defender we all are wishing for. But there aren't too many defenders which fit our profile as much as he does.
He is an intelligent defender. The first thing Stöger (coach of Köln) had to do was to settle the defence. They used to be roll over with 5 or 6-0 in the Bundesliga before. Under Stöger, defensive play was the most important aspect. Every player (also the forwards) were learned to defend properly, to defend like a team. Wimmer, Maroh and Horn were organizing the team from the back. They were a big part in their sucessful season and were also their highest rated players among fans.
He didn't have a single individual error this season (apart from a red card in the 90th minute). The only real negative about him is that he doesn't really contribute to offensive play. Rarily scores goals, avoids forward runs and also prefers to stay back at corners. Very old-school defender.
Exciting prospect. Can't wait to see him play in England.
Windy did an interview with a Koln fan
http://windycoys.com/2015/05/wimmer-a-qa-with-an-fc-koln-supporter/
Like many other Spurs fans, I know very little about our new signing, Kevin Wimmer. To fill us in, my good friend Paul King spoke to UK 1.FC Köln.
Firstly, thank you for offering to share your thoughts and knowledge on Kevin Wimmer. What has been the general feeling from FC Köln fans during his time as a player at your club?
He came into the club as an unknown quantity from LASK Linz in Austria and struggled to become truly established initially. It wasn’t until new coach Peter Stoeger (also Austrian) arrived at the club in the Summer of 2013 that Wimmer made a true impact and since then he has been like a rock in the back four alongside Slovenian Dominic Maroh. He was a huge part of us gaining promotion in 2014 and consolidating our Bundesliga place last season. The club had the fifth best defensive record in the division which, for a promoted club, was excellent.
He is best known as a central defender, but has he played in other positions for FC Köln?
If I’m honest I can’t recall Kevin being played ‘out’ of position in the last couple of seasons. I would view him as a pure defender and as such would like to see him concentrate on that role. I do believe, however, that he played as a midfielder earlier in his career at youth level.
What are his main strengths?
He is well-built to be a central defender and his solid, no-nonsense approach makes him a pure player in this role. You won’t see Wimmer messing about with the football at the back. He also has decent pace which we all know for a player in the Premier League will be vitally important.
Does he have any weaknesses which he still needs to develop?
For me he isn’t the best footballer technically but, as I have said previously, he is a no-nonsense defender. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t expect him to just ‘hoof’ the ball out at every opportunity, but you will see few risks taken.
How does he compare to better known central defenders in the Bundesliga, such as Jerome Boateng of Bayern Munich, Mats Hummels of Borussia Dortmund and Naldo of Wolfsburg? Do you feel that he has the potential to get to that sort of level?
I would say that of the names mentioned, Hummels would make the best comparison with Wimmer. I am confident that he will become a great player in years to come; I just hope he gets off to a good start in the Premier League as, from experience, it can be an unforgiving place to play football.
Are there other central defenders who Tottenham Hotspur fans may be familiar with who compare to Kevin Wimmer?
From established defenders it is very difficult to make comparisons at the moment. A similair-styled up and coming player is Kurt Zouma at Chelsea.
It is often said that it takes time for overseas players to adapt to the Premier League. From your knowledge of this league, do you think he is ready?
Yes, he is ready for action without doubt, but the Premier League by experience can be like a shark tank and the fans can be quite unforgiving early in a player’s career. That is my main concern for Wimmer moving to England, although I do believe he will perform very well.
Are FC Köln fans surprised that he has joined a club such as Tottenham? Would you feel he could have gone to a ‘bigger’ club, or is the level of Tottenham Hotspur well suited?
If he had moved to another club in Germany it would have been one of the top six clubs that would have shown an interest. I think Europa League level is about right. The majority of fans are pleased to see him progress and it shows the good work that has gone in at Cologne in the past few years that our players are attracting attention from clubs in the CL and EL.
Thanks very much to @effzehUK for the insight, and Paul for conducting this interview.
http://windycoys.com/2015/05/wimmer-a-qa-with-an-fc-koln-supporter/
Like many other Spurs fans, I know very little about our new signing, Kevin Wimmer. To fill us in, my good friend Paul King spoke to UK 1.FC Köln.
Firstly, thank you for offering to share your thoughts and knowledge on Kevin Wimmer. What has been the general feeling from FC Köln fans during his time as a player at your club?
He came into the club as an unknown quantity from LASK Linz in Austria and struggled to become truly established initially. It wasn’t until new coach Peter Stoeger (also Austrian) arrived at the club in the Summer of 2013 that Wimmer made a true impact and since then he has been like a rock in the back four alongside Slovenian Dominic Maroh. He was a huge part of us gaining promotion in 2014 and consolidating our Bundesliga place last season. The club had the fifth best defensive record in the division which, for a promoted club, was excellent.
He is best known as a central defender, but has he played in other positions for FC Köln?
If I’m honest I can’t recall Kevin being played ‘out’ of position in the last couple of seasons. I would view him as a pure defender and as such would like to see him concentrate on that role. I do believe, however, that he played as a midfielder earlier in his career at youth level.
What are his main strengths?
He is well-built to be a central defender and his solid, no-nonsense approach makes him a pure player in this role. You won’t see Wimmer messing about with the football at the back. He also has decent pace which we all know for a player in the Premier League will be vitally important.
Does he have any weaknesses which he still needs to develop?
For me he isn’t the best footballer technically but, as I have said previously, he is a no-nonsense defender. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t expect him to just ‘hoof’ the ball out at every opportunity, but you will see few risks taken.
How does he compare to better known central defenders in the Bundesliga, such as Jerome Boateng of Bayern Munich, Mats Hummels of Borussia Dortmund and Naldo of Wolfsburg? Do you feel that he has the potential to get to that sort of level?
I would say that of the names mentioned, Hummels would make the best comparison with Wimmer. I am confident that he will become a great player in years to come; I just hope he gets off to a good start in the Premier League as, from experience, it can be an unforgiving place to play football.
Are there other central defenders who Tottenham Hotspur fans may be familiar with who compare to Kevin Wimmer?
From established defenders it is very difficult to make comparisons at the moment. A similair-styled up and coming player is Kurt Zouma at Chelsea.
It is often said that it takes time for overseas players to adapt to the Premier League. From your knowledge of this league, do you think he is ready?
Yes, he is ready for action without doubt, but the Premier League by experience can be like a shark tank and the fans can be quite unforgiving early in a player’s career. That is my main concern for Wimmer moving to England, although I do believe he will perform very well.
Are FC Köln fans surprised that he has joined a club such as Tottenham? Would you feel he could have gone to a ‘bigger’ club, or is the level of Tottenham Hotspur well suited?
If he had moved to another club in Germany it would have been one of the top six clubs that would have shown an interest. I think Europa League level is about right. The majority of fans are pleased to see him progress and it shows the good work that has gone in at Cologne in the past few years that our players are attracting attention from clubs in the CL and EL.
Thanks very much to @effzehUK for the insight, and Paul for conducting this interview.
Thanks for that Case (and Windy + Paul King + UK 1.FC Köln)
Good insights into Herr Wimmer, a player I am hopeful about, unless the Spurs 'faithful' decide early on he's not a 'Spurs player', then he's probably done for.
This scouting report was done in March.
Kevin Wimmer: Commanding centre-back could blossom at Tottenham
Background information:
Tottenham Hotspur have what is comfortably the worst defensive record in the top half of the Premier League. With backup options Younes Kaboul and Vlad Chiriches contenders to depart this summer, it is therefore unsurprising that the club have been connected with a number of defensive reinforcements. The firmest link came last week, with reports that they had agreed a deal for Cologne centre-back Kevin Wimmer.
The 22-year-old was born in the city of Wels, in northern Austria, and began his career at the local club FC Edt. At 10 years old, then a striker, he was spotted by a scout from LASK Linz and signed up to their academy. He started in midfield but was then moved back into defence as it became clear that his physical attributes would be best utilised in that position. He penned a professional contract in July 2011 and made his first-team debut that same month.
Wimmer took part in over three quarters of LASK Linz's matches during the 2011-12 season, including 27 starts for the side who finished third in the second division. At the end of the season, Cologne agreed a €250,000 fee to take him to Germany. He took a while to settle in his new surroundings, but the arrival of his compatriot Peter Stoger as head coach ahead of the 2013-14 season saw him eventually become a first-team regular.
"When I came to the club in 2013, Kevin was a bit overweight, and I didn't have the impression he knew what he should be doing," Stoger said last year. "I told him to work on his body, his passing and his defensive heading." Wimmer did all of those things, and played his part in a successful promotion campaign, built upon the best defensive record in the division. He signed a new contract through to 2019 in February 2014.
The young centre-back has dealt well with the step up to the Bundesliga this season. His performances have attracted the attention of Spurs, who are also said to be keeping a keen eye on Cologne's highly rated goalkeeper Timo Horn. Reports suggest that a fee of between €6-10 million has been agreed between the clubs for Wimmer. Yet to make his first start for Austria, it seems as if England will be Wimmer's next destination.
Style:
Wimmer is a strong and solid left-footed centre-back who does the simple things well and rarely takes unnecessary risks. He positions himself conservatively and trusts that his physical attributes will see him come out on top in one-on-one duels. While he is not averse to clearing his lines when appropriate, he is also capable of coming out of defence with the ball at his feet and providing good passes into opposition territory.
Major strengths:
- Well-built
- A solid, no-nonsense defender
- Decent pace
Major weaknesses:
- Not the best technically
- Concentration can be an issue
Assessment breakdown:
Tackling: Solid in the tackle and generally times his challenges well. He doesn't engage unless he feels there is a good chance of winning the ball, and it is very rare to see him needlessly overcommit himself. He has won around 81 percent of the tackles he has contested so far this season, while picking up just three yellow cards.
Marking: Usually leaves the close man-to-man marking jobs to his defensive partner Dominic Maroh. While he is generally reasonably attentive to the positioning of opposition forwards, he does have a tendency to switch off at times. In these moments, he can appear unsure of who he should be covering.
Heading: Upon taking charge, Stoger noted that Wimmer was struggling to make best use of his height when competing for the ball in the air. This is something they have worked on together, with the result that the centre-back now wins around 58 percent of his aerial duels. There are, though, still occasions when he is beaten to the ball when he looks favourite to win it, and this is something he will need to continue focusing on.
Close control: Possesses a decent first touch for a centre-back of his build, although his control can be a little loose under pressure, as seen in the defeats away to Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen.
Passing: Always tries to play the ball forward in possession and is relatively comfortable stepping out of defence with the ball at his feet if space opens up for him to do so. His shorter passes into midfield or into the feet of the forwards are generally crisp and accurate. The quality of his longer passes is more varied, but he is capable of some excellent diagonals and well-weighted balls in behind.
Positioning: His first tendency is to back off and take up a defensive position in place of rushing forward to contest the ball. Retreats into the area when play is building out wide, and is content for the full-back and midfield cover to deal with the inside channel in order to ensure he is well-placed to clear in the centre. While his conservatism is largely a virtue, there are times when he appears to lose concentration and simply drift about the area.
Crossing: Originally signed as a player who could play either at centre-back or full-back, Wimmer has made the former position his own. He therefore very rarely gets forward into crossing positions.
Finishing: He has taken just one shot on goal so far this season, which suggests that he is not a particular threat from either open play or set-pieces.
What the experts say:
Vienna-based journalist Fabian Zerche: "Wimmer is calm, intelligent in build-up play and pretty tall, but he is still raw and has some errors in his game. According to his coach, he isn't one of those naturally gifted players but is making up for it with a sublime work ethic. Wimmer doesn't shine or stand out with special abilities but is without significant weaknesses too."
Conclusion:
Spurs head coach Mauricio Pochettino is hoping to build a long-term project at Tottenham and while the club are keen to make best use of their increasingly productive youth academy -- with Alex Pritchard likely to join Harry Kane, Nabil Bentaleb and Ryan Mason in the first-team squad next season -- they will also look to sign attractively valued players whenever possible.
It is easy to see why their scouting staff have latched onto Wimmer. While he still has things he needs to improve, he is a young and hard-working centre-back who has the potential to become a solid Premier League performer. He is certainly robust enough to deal with the style of football in England, while his conservative approach should also serve him well.
The deal is yet to be formally completed, but both Cologne and Wimmer have confirmed that advanced talks have taken place. The German side are hoping to stabilise their financial situation after two seasons in the second division, and they will find it hard to turn down a fee that would represent, at the lower end of the quoted figures, a 2,300 percent profit on their original outlay just three years ago.
It is move that makes sense for all parties. Spurs get a good young defender, while Cologne receive a healthy transfer fee to reinvest in new players. And Wimmer, for his part, can be expected to develop into a reliable and sturdy centre-back under Pochettino's command.
Kevin Wimmer: Commanding centre-back could blossom at Tottenham
Background information:
Tottenham Hotspur have what is comfortably the worst defensive record in the top half of the Premier League. With backup options Younes Kaboul and Vlad Chiriches contenders to depart this summer, it is therefore unsurprising that the club have been connected with a number of defensive reinforcements. The firmest link came last week, with reports that they had agreed a deal for Cologne centre-back Kevin Wimmer.
The 22-year-old was born in the city of Wels, in northern Austria, and began his career at the local club FC Edt. At 10 years old, then a striker, he was spotted by a scout from LASK Linz and signed up to their academy. He started in midfield but was then moved back into defence as it became clear that his physical attributes would be best utilised in that position. He penned a professional contract in July 2011 and made his first-team debut that same month.
Wimmer took part in over three quarters of LASK Linz's matches during the 2011-12 season, including 27 starts for the side who finished third in the second division. At the end of the season, Cologne agreed a €250,000 fee to take him to Germany. He took a while to settle in his new surroundings, but the arrival of his compatriot Peter Stoger as head coach ahead of the 2013-14 season saw him eventually become a first-team regular.
"When I came to the club in 2013, Kevin was a bit overweight, and I didn't have the impression he knew what he should be doing," Stoger said last year. "I told him to work on his body, his passing and his defensive heading." Wimmer did all of those things, and played his part in a successful promotion campaign, built upon the best defensive record in the division. He signed a new contract through to 2019 in February 2014.
The young centre-back has dealt well with the step up to the Bundesliga this season. His performances have attracted the attention of Spurs, who are also said to be keeping a keen eye on Cologne's highly rated goalkeeper Timo Horn. Reports suggest that a fee of between €6-10 million has been agreed between the clubs for Wimmer. Yet to make his first start for Austria, it seems as if England will be Wimmer's next destination.
Style:
Wimmer is a strong and solid left-footed centre-back who does the simple things well and rarely takes unnecessary risks. He positions himself conservatively and trusts that his physical attributes will see him come out on top in one-on-one duels. While he is not averse to clearing his lines when appropriate, he is also capable of coming out of defence with the ball at his feet and providing good passes into opposition territory.
Major strengths:
- Well-built
- A solid, no-nonsense defender
- Decent pace
Major weaknesses:
- Not the best technically
- Concentration can be an issue
Assessment breakdown:
Tackling: Solid in the tackle and generally times his challenges well. He doesn't engage unless he feels there is a good chance of winning the ball, and it is very rare to see him needlessly overcommit himself. He has won around 81 percent of the tackles he has contested so far this season, while picking up just three yellow cards.
Marking: Usually leaves the close man-to-man marking jobs to his defensive partner Dominic Maroh. While he is generally reasonably attentive to the positioning of opposition forwards, he does have a tendency to switch off at times. In these moments, he can appear unsure of who he should be covering.
Heading: Upon taking charge, Stoger noted that Wimmer was struggling to make best use of his height when competing for the ball in the air. This is something they have worked on together, with the result that the centre-back now wins around 58 percent of his aerial duels. There are, though, still occasions when he is beaten to the ball when he looks favourite to win it, and this is something he will need to continue focusing on.
Close control: Possesses a decent first touch for a centre-back of his build, although his control can be a little loose under pressure, as seen in the defeats away to Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen.
Passing: Always tries to play the ball forward in possession and is relatively comfortable stepping out of defence with the ball at his feet if space opens up for him to do so. His shorter passes into midfield or into the feet of the forwards are generally crisp and accurate. The quality of his longer passes is more varied, but he is capable of some excellent diagonals and well-weighted balls in behind.
Positioning: His first tendency is to back off and take up a defensive position in place of rushing forward to contest the ball. Retreats into the area when play is building out wide, and is content for the full-back and midfield cover to deal with the inside channel in order to ensure he is well-placed to clear in the centre. While his conservatism is largely a virtue, there are times when he appears to lose concentration and simply drift about the area.
Crossing: Originally signed as a player who could play either at centre-back or full-back, Wimmer has made the former position his own. He therefore very rarely gets forward into crossing positions.
Finishing: He has taken just one shot on goal so far this season, which suggests that he is not a particular threat from either open play or set-pieces.
What the experts say:
Vienna-based journalist Fabian Zerche: "Wimmer is calm, intelligent in build-up play and pretty tall, but he is still raw and has some errors in his game. According to his coach, he isn't one of those naturally gifted players but is making up for it with a sublime work ethic. Wimmer doesn't shine or stand out with special abilities but is without significant weaknesses too."
Conclusion:
Spurs head coach Mauricio Pochettino is hoping to build a long-term project at Tottenham and while the club are keen to make best use of their increasingly productive youth academy -- with Alex Pritchard likely to join Harry Kane, Nabil Bentaleb and Ryan Mason in the first-team squad next season -- they will also look to sign attractively valued players whenever possible.
It is easy to see why their scouting staff have latched onto Wimmer. While he still has things he needs to improve, he is a young and hard-working centre-back who has the potential to become a solid Premier League performer. He is certainly robust enough to deal with the style of football in England, while his conservative approach should also serve him well.
The deal is yet to be formally completed, but both Cologne and Wimmer have confirmed that advanced talks have taken place. The German side are hoping to stabilise their financial situation after two seasons in the second division, and they will find it hard to turn down a fee that would represent, at the lower end of the quoted figures, a 2,300 percent profit on their original outlay just three years ago.
It is move that makes sense for all parties. Spurs get a good young defender, while Cologne receive a healthy transfer fee to reinvest in new players. And Wimmer, for his part, can be expected to develop into a reliable and sturdy centre-back under Pochettino's command.
^^^^^^^^^^^^
I thought he'd already signed???
Vienna-based journalist Fabian Zerche: "Wimmer is calm, intelligent in build-up play and pretty tall, but he is still raw and has some errors in his game. According to his coach, he isn't one of those naturally gifted players but is making up for it with a sublime work ethic. Wimmer doesn't shine or stand out with special abilities but is without significant weaknesses too."
The key bit to that post being
ochbye:
aulinhofacepalm:ochfacepalm::soldadowatch:
...oh yeah!
...and that's what happens when you skim read... don't do what I did and look like a total dick. don't cut corners kids, READ THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT, START TO FINISH!
:soldadowatch:
...oh yeah!
...and that's what happens when you skim read... don't do what I did and look like a total dick. don't cut corners kids, READ THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT, START TO FINISH!
Well at least read the first line, then you should know the details of what you are reading.
#lifeskills
Well at least read the first line, then you should know the details of what you are reading.
#lifeskills
Nah mate... I always start a paragraph in and skip the intros!!
#schoolboyerror :kanewtf::walker:
Nomads, Renters and Wet Spammers will def. love this, the same nationality as that fella they've always adored.Apart from, Wimmer is Austrian...
Sucked in!!
The young Austrian defender, 22, completed his move from Bundesliga side Cologne on May 29 and took time out from preparing for this weekend's Euro 2016 qualifier in Russia to speak to us for the first time.
"First of all, there are not many Austrian players who have reached the Premier League, I’m now at Tottenham Hotspur, such a big club, always playing at the top and in European football," said Kevin.
"I’m looking forward to getting to know the team, the staff and it’s really good for my personal development.
"Everything is in front of me and now I have to give my best to get better and better.
"When I think about home games at White Hart Lane, they will be special, with the stadium full and the atmosphere very loud, very intense.
"The atmosphere must be amazing on matchday. I remember watching the game against Woolwich when Tottenham won 2-1, that was fantastic. For sure, I’m looking forward to that.
"There are a lot of things I’m looking forward to, it’s difficult to say what I’m looking forward to the most."
http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/new...il&utm_campaign=newsletter-061215&crn=2924165
"First of all, there are not many Austrian players who have reached the Premier League, I’m now at Tottenham Hotspur, such a big club, always playing at the top and in European football," said Kevin.
"I’m looking forward to getting to know the team, the staff and it’s really good for my personal development.
"Everything is in front of me and now I have to give my best to get better and better.
"When I think about home games at White Hart Lane, they will be special, with the stadium full and the atmosphere very loud, very intense.
"The atmosphere must be amazing on matchday. I remember watching the game against Woolwich when Tottenham won 2-1, that was fantastic. For sure, I’m looking forward to that.
"There are a lot of things I’m looking forward to, it’s difficult to say what I’m looking forward to the most."
http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/new...il&utm_campaign=newsletter-061215&crn=2924165
"Wimmer is calm, intelligent .......
We'll soon beat the calmness out of him
Poor bastard, almost want to give him a call and warn him he is about to enter the temple of negativity.
I`d love it.......love it, if he actually said "I`m looking forward to the game against Woolwich"
He`d be a club legend for me without even kicking a ball