Overview

• The 2014 World Cup winner says Köln’s unbeaten opening shows energy and a good team spirit, adding that Lukas Kwasniok and the club seem to fit.
• He commends sporting director Thomas Kessler’s recruitment, citing Kaminski, Johannesson, Bülter and Ache as sensible additions that improve the squad.
• Podolski highlights 19-year-old Said El Mala as a standout prospect who reminds him of his own early years.
• He criticizes aspects of German youth development, calling for tougher characters and rejecting what he describes as a culture of coddled “Muttersöhnchen.”
• He reiterates that he is playing for Górnik Zabrze at least until May and says no return to Köln has been promised.