Thread by @ploehmann

#swfc Right, might as well make myself useful, so I've had a look at what German sources say about Julian Börner, who today confirmed he's leaving Arminia Bielefeld in the 2. Bundesliga for England - and there's definitely some interesting bits in the thread below:

#swfc Norwich offered him a lucrative 3-year deal in 2017, but he declined after consultation with his wife, wishing to stay in Bielefeld with their new-born daughter. "Money isn't everything. Family always comes first". A good sign of character
(source: nw.de/sport/dsc_armi…).

#swfc He was valued at €2m (£1.75m) back then, but would move to ours on a free transfer. It's encouraging that Norwich were interested. They've recruited very, very well under Franke as manager and Webber as sporting director, so their strong interest then suggests he's good.

#swfc will be a step up for Börner with Arminia's @FiveThirtyEight SPI score similar to that of a bottom three side in the Championship (projects.fivethirtyeight.com/soccer-predict… & projects.fivethirtyeight.com/soccer-predict…).

#swfc But Börner has been the 12th best defender in the 2. Bundesliga this season according to the authoritative source kicker.de (kicker.de/news/fussball/…) and 65th of 206 players in all positions.
2017/18: 31st among defenders.
2016/17: 21st.
2015/16: 9th.

#swfc It's notoriously hard to judge defenders via simple frequentist stats like tackles, interceptions etc. Is more or less bad? Harder to say than for key passes, shots on target etc. Yet we may still learn something from looking at Börner's numbers.

#swfc Börner tendency to tackle is 34th out of 38 central defenders in 2. Bundesliga with at least 15 matches as a CB, attempting a tackle every 64 minutes, and also 34th in being dribbled past, which could suggest a player with a good read of the game (whoscored.com).

#swfc Compared to those of our players, who have played as central defenders, Börner's numbers this season suggests he's much more of a goal threat in the air (especially from set pieces) and playing more as an on-the-floor defender than what we've had this season.

#swfc Bielefeld spent just 26% of their games in their own half, the second lowest in 2. Bundesliga, suggesting they play with a quite advanced defensive line (further indicated by them conceding a division-topping 7 goals from counter attacks) (whoscored.com).

#swfc In his youth career and the early part of his career he was also used in midfield, again suggesting a central defender more than capable on the ball.

#swfc His club Bielefeld are so annoyed by him going back on his word to extend his contract that they have removed him from their first team squad for their last two (dead rubber) matches of the 2. Bundesliga season, despite him being their captain (arminia-bielefeld.de/2019/05/09/boe…).

#swfc Just a year ago, Börner stated in an interview that he wanted his daughter to "go to school in Bielefeld and to grow old here with my wife", but also that it was a "childhood dream of his" to play in England (nw.de/sport/dsc_armi…) (and he doesn't like tattoos!)

#swfc He reiterated his desire to extend his contract in an interview in January, where he is also quoted as saying he's strong in duels (nw.de/sport/dsc_armi…).

#swfc In November his coach at Bielefeld said Börner was "consistent" and that he "liked his attitude and how he leads from the front" and "you'd have to look long for someone of his quality". Leadership is exactly what the Wednesday defence needs (nw.de/sport/dsc_armi…).

#swfc A word of caution, though, in Bielefeld's tendency to concede a lot this season, leading local journalists to say their "defensive performances don't always leave the best of impressions" and that he had a poor 2018, but improved (along with the team) in 2019.

#swfc He allegedly had a "Winnall moment" in training back in December, and was suspended by the club for a game, for being too aggressive in the tackle in training (nw.de/sport/dsc_armi…).

#swfc Curiously, Börner is a big fan of the darts and even took part in a show match with Michael van Gerwen (nw.de/sport/dsc_armi…). Also curiously, he lives next door to Bielefeld's sporting director (tag24.de/nachrichten/fu…).

Reports from the ground, from our man on the spot @OneGaryReaney (those pesky hipster Wednesdayites with their obscure German 2nd teams!), says an Arminia fan, who’s friendly w/Böhner,seem to back up most of what’s in the thread in the way of observations:

https://twitter.com/onegaryreaney/status/1126805923094323200?s=21