Bulinews Player of the Season Awards: Werder Bremen’s Player of the Season

Picking up 5 votes from a possible 9, Jens Stage was nominated as Werder Bremen’s player of the season by our Bulinews writers.

So near yet so far – this might be the line used to describe Werder Bremen as they came within a point of securing European football next season. Having said that, I don’t think too many fans will be upset given their team continues to climb the leaderboard with each passing year under the tutelage of Ole Werner. Lest we forget, Die Wederaner were relegated only 4 seasons ago, so their progress deserves the highest praise.

Another man worthy of plaudits is Jens Stage who epitomised representing Die Grun-Weissen in 2024-25. The Danish midfielder possesses that ‘Swiss army knife’ type of versatility considering he can line out in either a defensive, central or offensive role in the middle of the park. Add to that his fearless in the duel, a physical presence, vision and a strong passing range – its no wonder he’s become the Bremen engine room.

At just 28, Stage is only entering his career prime and exhibited that with his best offensive returns to date by scoring 10 goals and laying off 5 assists in 28 games. It’s worth noting in his last two campaigns for Bremen, the Danish midfielder only managed 6 goal contributions despite playing two and four more games respectively.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCE:

The highlight of Jens Stage’s season arrived back on Matchday 5 as Werder Bremen ‘Stage-d’ a remarkable 4-3 comeback against TSG Hoffenheim. The Sinsheim club surged into a three-goal lead thanks to a brace from Marius Bülter and an Adam Hlozek strike inside 13 minutes before Julian Malatini managed to bundle a corner home to reduce the deficit.

Behold the Stage show – in the 26th-minute, the Dane rose highest to nod home a Marvin Ducksch cross. Six minutes before the interval, Felix Agu’s deflected cutback fell kindly for Stage to volley past Baumann to restore parity from close range. The comeback was completed after the break when a corner was worked wide to Mitchel Weiser who put it on a plate for Stage to head into the lower-right corner before wheeling off to celebrate.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS:

Romano Schmid picked up two votes for his endeavours as he continues to become a key component of Bremen’s midfield with 5 goals and 4 assists. Both of Mitchel Weiser and Marco Friedl received a nomination too – the former continues to deliver from right wing-back with 5 goals and 8 assists across the campaign, while captain Friedl bolstered Ole Werner’s defence since recovering from a ligament strain in mid-March.