Bundesliga Prospect | Paul Wanner – Why the German’s move to Heidenheim could be a match made in heaven
Making his Bundesliga and Bayern Munich debut at the age of 16 years and 15 days, only Borussia Dortmund’s Youssoufa Moukoko made his maiden top-flight appearance at a younger age that Paul Wanner. Now 18 and 244 days, the German attacking-midfielder has matured after spending last season on loan at 2. Bundesliga Elversberg after finding minutes at the Allianz Arena hard to come by under Julian Nagelsmann.
During his time in the German second division, Wanner scored six and created three, helping secure Elversberg’s status in the 2. Bundesliga after being tipped for an immediate return to the 3. Liga. With silky feet and an ability to go past his marker, Wanner has shown from an early age his potential. But with competition stiff at Bayern Munich with the arrival of Michael Olise, generational talent Jamal Musiala, and Thomas Müller still at the club, Wanner has joined fellow Bundesliga side Heidenheim as he searches for more minutes in the top flight.
In Heidenheim, who made their first foray into European football on Thursday evening following their maiden campaign in the Bundesliga, in which they finished eighth, Wanner can go to the Voith-Arena with very little pressure. It’s a similar move that Eren Dinkçi made last season. Dinkçi joined the club from Werder Bremen on loan and went on to score 11 and create six in 34 games across all competitions before securing a transfer to Freiburg for €5m.
Operating on the right-flank, Wanner is expected to take Dinkçi’s place and although different profiles, expect Wanner to improve immensely as a player under Franck Schmidt, who has been in charge at Heidenheim since 2007. The 50-year-old gets the best out of his players, and Wanner is in the perfect place to advance his career.
