Goalkeeper transfers in the Bundesliga have stirred excitement, but the highlight is overshadowed by Sophia Winkler’s severe injury, which has sidelined her for up to a year. The 21-year-old, who recently extended her contract with SGS Essen, suffered a cruciate ligament tear during training. As she recovers, her impressive statistics, including a leading Post-Shot-Expected-Goals average, have positioned her as a top contender in the league, sparking discussions about future signings and support for her return.
Goalkeeper Transfer Shuffle in the Bundesliga
The transfer landscape for goalkeepers in the Bundesliga has been buzzing with excitement, and the much-awaited moves have finally taken place. Unfortunately, the anticipation has been overshadowed by the serious injury of Sophia Winkler, who was having a stellar season. Eintracht Frankfurt’s head coach, Niko Arnautis, expressed his concern at a press conference ahead of the match against SGS Essen, stating, “It is particularly a very tragic story for Sophia.” Winkler, who is just 21, was set to defend the goal for SGS against her new team but will now be substituted by Kim Sindermann, aged 24.
Sophia Winkler’s Injury and Recovery Journey
Sophia Winkler, who earned her national team call-up in November 2024, recently signed a contract extending to 2029. However, she suffered a serious knee injury during a training session with the DFB, twisting her knee without any external pressure. The diagnosis of a cruciate ligament tear has been confirmed, along with potential damage to her meniscus, cartilage, and thigh bone.
This injury occurred during an international stint, and Winkler could be sidelined for up to a year. The extent of her injury led to a delayed diagnosis, and she underwent surgery last Wednesday, which was deemed successful. The recovery period for a cruciate ligament tear is typically lengthy, and the timeline for Winkler’s return remains uncertain. Arnautis emphasized the importance of supporting her through this challenging time, stating, “It is our responsibility to ensure she feels supported on her journey back to the pitch.”
Winkler has been a part of SGS Essen since 2017, progressing through the youth ranks to become the starting goalkeeper in the Bundesliga since the 2021/22 season. She was poised to take over the position left by Stina Johannes, who has since moved to Eintracht Frankfurt.
Winkler’s remarkable performance this season had many considering her the best goalkeeper in the Bundesliga, as reflected in her statistics. Analysts assess goalkeeper performance not just by the number of saves but also by the difficulty level of the shots faced, using a metric known as Post-Shot-Expected-Goals (PSxG). This statistic takes into account various factors, including the shooter’s position and the speed of the ball.
Currently, Winkler leads the Bundesliga with an impressive PSxG average of 0.6, outpacing her counterparts in other major leagues. Her nearest competitor, Mariella El Sherif of Carl Zeiss Jena, holds a value of 0.19, while Laura Dick from Hoffenheim and Rafaela Borggräfe from Freiburg follow closely behind. This data underscores not only Winkler’s exceptional form but also the competitive landscape for goalkeeper positions in the upcoming EM squad.
As the Bundesliga season progresses, the discussion around potential new signings and support for Winkler will continue, especially with the looming international break in early April.