Hamburger SV Youth Talents Confront Squad Selection Challenge

Hamburger SV is preparing for its second Bundesliga season after promotion, with coach Merlin Polzin facing a “luxury problem” of several promising academy players. Three youngsters – forward Otto Stange (19), left‑back Louis Lemke (16) and centre‑back Shafiq Nandja (19) – have earned spots in the senior squad after impressing in preseason, including a 1‑2 test defeat to Everton. Stange, a key figure in Germany’s U19 European Championship run, expressed his aim to gain minutes with the first team. Additional prospects such as midfielder Jason Bissi‑Mouelle (18) and winger Thierry Sedlatschek (17) are also being monitored for potential promotion.