Omar Marmoush: The Unexpected Star of Eintracht Frankfurt
In the summer of 2023, Eintracht Frankfurt CEO Markus Krösche made an announcement that seemed to blend into the background noise of typical club statements. “We have signed a player whose abilities will give our attack even greater flexibility,” he declared, introducing the club’s new acquisition, Egypt international forward Omar Marmoush. “Omar has already proven his qualities in the German Bundesliga, but at the same time he still has great potential to develop further. We’re pleased that we were able to bring such an exciting and talented player to Eintracht Frankfurt on a free transfer.”
At first glance, this seemed like a standard press release. After all, Marmoush was a 24-year-old free transfer from VfL Wolfsburg, a player who had spent more time on loan than making starts for his parent club. Expectations were modest, to say the least.
Fast forward eighteen months, and Marmoush has not only met those expectations but has blown them out of the water. With 27 Bundesliga goals and 15 assists in just a season and a half at Eintracht, plus additional contributions in European competitions, Marmoush has become a sensation. He currently leads the league in goal contributions, surpassing even the likes of Harry Kane of Bayern Munich and Florian Wirtz of Bayer Leverkusen.
This remarkable form naturally attracted attention during the January transfer window, with Manchester City making the decisive move. They secured Marmoush’s services for a hefty €60 million ($62.1m), making him the centerpiece of their midseason overhaul.
Unlocking Marmoush’s Potential
So, what was the secret behind Marmoush’s meteoric rise? According to ESPN’s Bundesliga correspondent Constantin Eckner, Marmoush’s talent was never in question. “He was always considered an outstanding talent, but one that needed a lot of polishing,” Eckner explains. “He was a gifted baller, a street footballer, so coaches had a hard time figuring out how to use him correctly.”
Wolfsburg’s handling of Marmoush was a testament to this struggle. Over four seasons, he was more often a substitute than a starter, and he was loaned out twice, to St. Pauli and Stuttgart. “Wolfsburg did not handle Marmoush correctly, in my opinion,” Eckner says. “Because of these loan spells, he never had time to establish himself anywhere.”
ESPN Africa correspondent Ed Dove echoes this sentiment, noting the variety of systems and positions Marmoush was subjected to. “There are possible parallels with Ademola Lookman [now of Atalanta] at this point,” he says. “You have a guy who is highly regarded, has shown quality in flashes, but he’s played for three different clubs in three different divisions in the space of just over two years.”
Despite these challenges, Marmoush showed promise during his loan at Stuttgart in the 2021-22 season, even making the shortlist for the Bundesliga Rookie of the Year award. However, his return to Wolfsburg was marred by a rocky relationship with coach Niko Kovač, which ultimately led to his departure as a free agent in 2023.
Thriving at Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt took a calculated risk by signing Marmoush, and it paid off handsomely. He quickly became a key player, drawing comparisons to Mohamed Salah of Liverpool, though the fact they are both Egypt internationals may have influenced this comparison.
Marmoush initially played as a lone striker but soon formed a dynamic partnership with former PSG striker Hugo Ekitike. Their complementary styles allowed Marmoush to thrive, using his speed and strength to exploit defenses while also showcasing his playmaking abilities.
- Fast and strong, Marmoush is confident in front of goal.
- He can drop deep, receive the ball, and push forward.
- His awareness and ability to find space make him a constant threat.
- He excels in creating and finishing scoring opportunities.
His performances have been nothing short of spectacular, with a highlight reel of stunning goals, including three consecutive free-kick goals in November. His confidence and composure have grown, thanks in part to Eintracht manager Dino Toppmöller’s guidance.
Manchester City’s New Hope
Manchester City is banking on Marmoush to inject new life into their attack. Despite the €60m price tag, his diverse skill set makes him a promising fit for Pep Guardiola’s system. City has struggled this season, averaging fewer goals per league game than in any other season under Guardiola, and Marmoush’s arrival could be the solution they need.
His statistics are impressive, placing him in the 99th percentile for assists and shot-creating actions across Europe’s top-five leagues. His ability to pick up the ball in deep positions and run at defenders could be the antidote to City’s attacking woes.
While Marmoush will need to adapt to playing in a possession-focused system and potentially from the wing, his potential to replace the departed Julián Álvarez is promising.
The Journey Continues
Marmoush’s journey to the top has been anything but straightforward, but he’s finally arrived. Now, he faces the challenge of proving himself on an even bigger stage in the Premier League with Manchester City.
There are questions about how he will adapt to a new system, but his determination and resilience will serve him well. Only time will tell if he can be the answer to City’s struggles this season.
Originally Written by: Sam Tighe
