On the rise with Stuttgart: Stergiou wants to become big in the Bundesliga

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Opinions differ as to whether size plays a role. Although Leonidas Stergiou made his debut in the Super League at the age of 16 and has since played more than 150 games for FC St. Gallen, it was always said: the central defender is very talented, but will never fulfill his dream, because he is “ only” 181 cm high tin. Because: “I want to play in a top 10 club in the world one day,” the Swiss-Greek once said.

Stergiou has been a professional at VfB Stuttgart since August. Not a top 10 club, but at least a major player in a top 5 competition, the Bundesliga. Anyway? No, for Stergiou that is the most important thing: “When I thought about moving abroad in recent years, the Bundesliga was not my absolute dream destination. Now I say: It couldn’t have gone better. Due to the proximity to St. Gallen, my family can visit me regularly. And as an athlete, I have learned something new every day since the change.”

But briefly: the size thing. Stergiou feels most comfortable in the center of defence, where he has grown from junior to professional. But Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeness sees Stergiou as a right back. Or the right man in a three-man chain.

There is a shortage of right back personnel in the national team

Because of the inches he misses at the central defender giants in the Bundesliga? Stergiou says: “Yes, my size is always an issue in the media. I can’t change it, only the way I play football. With my 181 centimeters I have to be better technically and football-wise, go faster in duels and use one or two tricks.”

Or exploring new paths: so far, Bundesliga newcomer Stergiou (“I’m feeling better and better”) has played four short games for the third team in the Bundesliga, always as a right back. Not his favorite position, but: “I have the most experience as a central defender, I have played 90 percent of my games there. But I can play as a right back and I am very open to it. It’s also about the playing philosophy – and that is completely different in Stuttgart than in St. Gallen.”

He was recently deployed as a right back in the U21 national team. He provided an assist in the 5-0 European Championship qualifier against Armenia – and played a strong game on the wing. Perhaps Stergiou would do well to embrace a permanent future as a right-back. As is known, there is an acute shortage of personnel in this position at A-Nati. Alternatives are urgently sought – size doesn’t matter!

Source : Blick