VfB Stuttgart enters the 2026/27 season as one of the Bundesliga’s most intriguing sides following an ambitious summer transfer window. Manager Sebastian Hoeneß retained his squad’s core while adding significant depth, securing striker Deniz Undav on a contract extension before spending approximately €55 million on reinforcements including €25 million signing Dzenan Pejcinovic and €15 million winger Leo Sauer.
The club’s personnel strategy marked a departure from previous years, when successful players regularly departed for wealthier clubs. This time, Stuttgart kept its spine intact while strengthening competition across every position. Grischa Prömel’s free transfer from Hoffenheim added midfield depth, while goalkeeper Dennis Seimen’s thigh injury forced the club to rely on backup Fabian Bredlow to start the season. The squad’s quality created the luxury problem of too many capable footballers competing for limited spaces.
Tactically, Stuttgart demonstrated considerable versatility during preseason, experimenting with multiple formations and employing an innovative inverted role for converted midfielder Nikolas Nartey at right-back. His movement inward during possession created additional central midfield superiority while maintaining defensive width. In competitive action against Hansa Rostock, Pejcinovic delivered an impressive hat-trick debut, while Undav operated in a roaming attacking role rather than as a traditional striker, suggesting Hoeneß discovered how to utilize both forwards simultaneously without compromising effectiveness.
Stuttgart’s preparation suggested a squad capable of sustaining Champions League-level competition while managing the tactical complexity of selecting from numerous quality options across every position.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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