Farès Chaïbi (21) enjoyed a sensational first season at Eintracht Frankfurt, registering 16 goal contributions (four goals and 12 assists) in 37 games across all competitions but is yet to post similar numbers this campaign, which is bringing criticism from fans. As noted by BILD, Chaïbi’s body language is angering many supporters but Eintracht head coach Dino Toppmöller has drawn comparisons to Mesut Özil.
Speaking at Tuesday’s press conference ahead of Eintracht’s DFB Pokal clash against Borussia Mönchengladbach, Toppmöller was asked about Chaïbi’s performances, noting the Algerian’s body language. “Body language is always such a crux,” said SGE’s head coach. “There are players who seem different. Mesut Özil became a world champion with Germany and his body language didn’t give the impression that he wanted to plough up the pitch. But he was a player who simply had incredible quality.”
When asked how Chaïbi, who has started in five of the 11 games that he’s played in this season, can work his way back into contention, Toppmöller added: “He has to fight his way out of it himself. With Junior Embimbe, he has a great example of how you can fight back. We won’t break the baton over Farès, but he already knows that we’re not completely satisfied with him.”
Chaïbi has just one assist in 568 minutes for Die Adler this season, but a start in the Pokal clash against Gerardo Seoane’s Gladbach tomorrow is a real possibility.
