Loan Update: Pierre-Emile Højbjerg Scores First Bundesliga Goal

The Tone on Loan

Julian Green, Hamburger SV

The tragic plot line of Julian Green continues to spiral down the drain. The managerial change has done nothing in terms of his playing time, not once appearing on the team sheet under new manager Bruno Labbadia. He was granted to leave the club to join up with the United States in their friendly against Mexico, but did not make an appearance. Then United States U23 coach Andreas Herzog asked Hamburg if Green could stay and play with his squad, and Hamburg could not hand in the paperwork in time. Bayern Munich can only hope their promising winger did not lose anything in his year shunned from the pitch, and hopefully the club can find a better destination for him next season.

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, FC Augsburg

Making his second start in attacking midfield in place of Halil Altintop, Højbjerg scored the equalizer against Paderborn, his first professional goal of his club career. That was just the highlight of a stellar performance against the Bundesliga's bottom feeders, returning strong from an illness at the end of March. Playing time has been a little harder to come by, Markus Weinzierl trying to give Dominik Kohr and Markus Feulner a look alongside Daniel Baier. However, his movement and decision making have notably improved, and his evolving technique is a sign he could be ready to contribute to Bayern sooner rather than later.

Jan Kirchhoff, FC Schalke 04

Kirchhoff is still recovering from an achilles injury, but he was able to graduate to team training late last week. He did not appear on the team sheet at the weekend, but he could be a candidate to appear at least on the bench in Schalke's match against Stuttgart next week. Roberto Di Matteo is trying to juggle several injuries, and has abandoned the three back system with the return of Sead Kolasinac. The jury is still out if Kirchhoff can make any significant impact before the end of the season.

On Their Way

Joshua Kimmich, RasenBallsport Leipzig

Kimmich is the director who has helped orchestrate a four match unbeaten run late in the 2. Bundesliga season for RB Leipzig. While not the one that hammers home the chances, he runs the show, much like what Xabi Alonso is doing for Bayern. He does Alonso's job in a much more hyperactive way, perhaps simply putting his youthful exuberance on display. Whether Kimmich can contribute to Bayern upon his arrival is still a question, but if he is not ready, he is pretty darn close.

The Buyback Brigade

Raif Husic, SV Werder Bremen

Husic has gotten lost in the shuffle with Werder Bremen's reserve team in April, but gave up one goal in the last two matches. Alexander Nouri briefly turned to Michael Zetterer, but after the keeper saw four goals go passed him in two matches, the gaffer switched back to Husic, most notably for Werder Bremen II's big match against VfB Oldenburg. The Bremen reserves have two big matches coming up against Wolfsburg II and Hamburger SV II, trying to stay atop the Regionalliga Nord. That would give Husic his second chance to gain promotion into the 3. Liga with a reserve team.

Alessandro Schöpf, 1. FC Nürnberg

Playing most of the season in central midfield, Schöpf has migrated to the right as Rene Weiler tries to avoid a second consecutive relegation for Nürnberg. He has not proven to be much of a winger so far, but his deliveries are sharper than any of his mates. He did also have an assist on a corner kick at the weekend, a duty he has fully taken grasp of. He does have a buyback clause in his contract this summer, but it is unlikely Bayern will pick it up.

Going Halvsies

Diego Contento, Girondins de Bordeaux

While still not the world class left back Bayern hoped he would be, he has been a strong contributor to Bordeaux's fight towards Ligue 1's Europa League spots. He assisted in Bordeaux's clean sheet against France power Olympique du Marseille with a solid performance, and even picked out Nicolas Maurice-Belay for the winning goal against Lens. His first year at Bordeaux has revealed how low his ceiling may be, but he has still progressed to the point where he deserves a good long run as a professional. Now he hopes Paris Saint-Germain can help progress Bordeaux into the Europa League with a victory in the Coupe du France.