3 months ago
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It's no surprise Eintracht Frankfurt rose to third in the Bundesliga last season, given the career trajectories of the two players whose goals helped them qualify for the Champions League.
Omar Marmoush and Hugo Ekitike formed a potent partnership up front for the Eagles, and the strength they carried in attack meant that when Marmoush moved to Manchester City in January, they could rely on Ekitike's goals to get them over the line.
The two had tended to dovetail in attack until that move, and you can see why Eintract boss Dino Topmoller operated with a duo when they caused the damage they did.
“We have two centre forwards who can score goals out of nothing, and can create chances out of nothing," he said.
Now the Premier League is set to see how they compare. Marmoush has been impressive since his £59million move to the Etihad, and Etikite is now set for a £69million switch to Liverpool.
Having combined to deadly effect in the Bundesliga, they will become rivals at the top of the Premier League, and the debates over who got the better deal will begin in earnest.
City have paid the smaller fee, and there is an argument that the stats are in their favour. Marmoush, 26, scored an astonishing 19 goals and 12 assists in 23 Bundesliga and Europa League games for Frankfurt last term before his mid-season move. These are eye-watering numbers, and he carried some of that form to the Premier League.
The Egyptian's goal against Bournemouth earned the Premier League goal of the season award and was one of seven he scored in 16 league appearances for City as he hit the ground running in Manchester. His experience of playing alongside Etikite helped him play with Erling Haaland on several occasions.
Ekitike is costing Liverpool at least £10million more, with both deals set to include various add-ons. The France Under-21 striker is three years younger than Marmoush, and while his numbers last season were impressive, they weren't as good.
In 45 games in the Bundesliga and Europa League, Ekitike scored 19 goals and registered 11 assists. Those numbers are superb, but Marmoush either matched or beat them in half the time.
There is also a feeling that City haven't yet seen the best of their January signing. He did superbly to make the kind of contribution he did when arriving midway through the season, but most players improve for a pre-season under Pep Guardiola, and it is exciting to think what Marmoush could do next term.
“The numbers are really good,” Guardiola said of Marmoush in April. “He arrived in the middle of the season and in a moment when we are not good.
“Sometimes when you come when everything is fluid and everything is fine it’s easy to adapt. But coming when the team is not playing good, that is a big credit.”
It will be fascinating to see what kind of role Marmoush plays next season. He can step in for Haaland when required, but is too good to be playing the role of back-up striker every week. They could well form another lethal strike partnership.
Ekitike's role looks more obvious. Liverpool need a striker and the 23-year-old is the man they are banking on, having failed to convince Newcastle United to sell Alexander Isak. He will get plenty of chances in Arne Slot's forward line.
Seeing how the former Eintracht Frankfurt forwards compare will be one of many sub-plots in the Premier League this season, but based on the numbers so far, there is a strong argument that City have again got the better deal.
Man City have launched their new away shirt for the 2025/26 season, featuring an all-black design inspired by the club's earliest-known kit.
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