Schultz and Kessler praise Christensen following Bundesliga debut against Bayern

An accumulated yellow-card suspension for Eric Martel and a muscular injury that sidelined Denis Huseinbasic handed 22-year-old Danish midfielder Jacob Christensen his first Bundesliga start against FC Bayern München on Saturday. The former FC Nordsjælland star was definitely one of the most conspicuous players on the pitch, notable for both exceptionally brave challenges and a late mistake that enable Bayern to score their second goal.

Christensen – who did win 67 percent of his duels – also earned a booking for heel tackling Bayern’s Harry Kane. Effzeh trainer Timo Schultz commented on the debutant’s performance at his Monday presser, pressed by an eager set of journalists curious to know what role Christensen will play on a team set for a massive rebuild after the season. Martel and Dejan Ljubicic – the two players ahead of Christensen – are likely to be sold off. 

“It was a good start,” Schultz said, “but Jaxe [Christensen] met our expectations. “Despite his age, he’s made many appearances for Nordsjaelland and was a formative player there. He was very confident on the ball. He got more into the game with every minute, kept demanding the ball, got out of pressure and shifted sides.“

FC licensing head Thomas Kessler also praised the youngster, praising Christensen’s courage against the German record champions. Köln’s transfer ban leaves Germany’s cathedral city side in desperate straits over the next two years. Kessler and sporting director Christian Keller can only hope to sign players currently serving at the club on loan as new additions.

Luca Waldschmidt (Wolfsburg) and Faride Alidou (Eintracht) are two players they club wish to keep. Christiansen’s Danish compatriot Rasmus Carstensen (KRC Genk) is the third candidate Köln can hope to keep on a permanent basis. Christensen – snatched up on a free last summer – has a contract valid through 2026.