Chukwuemeka not an option in Leipzig

While most RB Leipzig players are getting to know the setting of their new pre-season training camp for the first time, Ridle Baku finds himself on familiar ground.

The club’s newly selected base, the luxurious Öschberghof hotel in Donaueschingen, is already well-known to the right-back from his time at VfL Wolfsburg, where he spent previous summers preparing for the Bundesliga season in exactly the same location. “Great hotel, great pitch it’s a perfect place to work on team dynamics,” Baku remarked confidently, highlighting not just the quality of the facilities, but also their importance in building cohesion and chemistry during the early stages of the campaign.

This is the first time RB Leipzig has chosen the Öschberghof as their pre-season destination, a notable change from their usual preparation routines. The team arrived in Baden-Württemberg on Wednesday, flying into Friedrichshafen before continuing the journey by bus to Donaueschingen. The training camp is expected to serve as a vital phase in the squad's preparation under new head coach Ole Werner, who took over following a tumultuous end to the previous season. Werner, known for his tactical discipline and attention to detail, is using the camp to lay the tactical and physical groundwork with ten intensive training sessions scheduled, alongside a friendly match against French side Toulouse on Saturday at 3:30 PM.

The camp carries extra weight not only because of the change in leadership but also because of the scars left by last season's underwhelming performances. Despite their considerable talent and international pedigree, Leipzig underperformed across all competitions, with inconsistencies plaguing both their domestic and European campaigns. For Baku, who joined the club during the winter transfer window, there’s a sense of unfinished business and a clear desire to restore Leipzig’s competitive standards. “We need to build a clear foundation that’s what matters most now,” he explained. “I don’t want to go through another season like the last one. When you look at our squad, we’re a Champions League team.”

But while Baku speaks with conviction about the squad's potential, there’s a strong awareness internally that changes are inevitable. The current squad consists of 33 players, including long-term absentees Benjamin Henrichs, recovering from an Achilles tendon rupture, and Tidiam Gomis, sidelined with an ankle injury. Even discounting the injured duo, the presence of 31 available players is far beyond the optimal squad size for a club looking to compete efficiently on several fronts. As a result, there is no shortage of names on the potential departure list and not all are fringe players.

Three prominent figures expected to leave are loan returnees Eljif Elmas, Timo Werner, and André Silva. All three find themselves surplus to requirements in Ole Werner’s plans and top the club’s internal transfer list. However, RB Leipzig may struggle to extract meaningful fees for any of them, given their recent form, age profiles, and in some cases, their injury histories. The market for all three remains lukewarm, and barring unexpected interest, loan deals or cut-price sales may be the only realistic exit routes.

Instead, Leipzig’s hopes for meaningful financial gain lie with two other high-profile names: Benjamin Sesko and Xavi Simons. The latter, in particular, has been linked with a move to Chelsea in recent days, with various media outlets reporting serious interest from the Premier League club. However, Leipzig officials have clarified that no formal offers have been received so far. Reports from Sky Deutschland suggesting that Leipzig might be considering a swap deal involving Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka have been dismissed by sources close to the club and further contradicted by kicker, which reported that the injury-prone Englishman is not being considered as a viable target.

The focus, then, shifts to restructuring the current roster a task now in the hands of sporting director Marcel Schäfer. At least seven players are expected to leave before the transfer window closes, a significant shake-up that will require both strategic planning and flexibility in negotiations. Schäfer must balance financial prudence with the competitive demands of a club expected to challenge for domestic and continental honors.

Amid all this uncertainty, Ridle Baku remains one of the few constants. Far from being on the chopping block, he is expected to play a crucial role in Werner’s plans for the upcoming season. Signed from Wolfsburg during the winter to strengthen the right flank, Baku is seen as a starter in the right-back position, where he will compete primarily with Serbian youngster Kosta Nedeljkovic and, once fit again, Benjamin Henrichs. Baku’s versatility and experience at both club and international levels make him an asset not just tactically, but also in the locker room something especially important during a transitional period like this.

Speaking about the uncertain atmosphere surrounding squad composition, Baku remained calm and pragmatic. “I know these situations well,” he said. “A lot is going to change before the first matchday. That’s just how football works it’s the nature of the sport. The group we have now likely won’t be the same when the season starts.”

That awareness of how fast things can change both on and off the pitch reflects a mature perspective from a player who’s seen multiple sides of the professional game. For now, Baku is focused on doing his part in training, fighting for his spot, and helping rebuild a sense of purpose and identity within the squad. He knows the demands that come with playing for a club like RB Leipzig, and he embraces the competition rather than shying away from it.

As pre-season continues, there are more questions than answers around RB Leipzig. But in the calm efficiency of players like Baku, the team may find the leadership and resilience it needs to navigate the coming challenges.