He doesn't make headlines with words, but with deeds he does. If Ihlas Bebou scores for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim this Bundesliga season, it will be twice as on Saturday in the 3-1 home win over FC Augsburg (38th / 44th minute) and in the 5-0 triumph over 1. FC Köln on the eighth matchday or even three times as in the 6-3 win in Fürth on the thirteenth matchday. Three games were enough to make the center forward, who was born in Togo and grew up in Düsseldorf, number one in the club's current goalscorer list, which includes sixteen players, more than any other top division club.
Bebou, the 1.83-meter-long sprinter and finisher, whose professional career began at Fortuna Düsseldorf in 2013, is also at the top of the Hoffenheim attacker ranking because Andrej Kramaric, who has been reliably best enforcer in recent years, has only scored two goals this season. Which is also explained by the fact that the 30-year-old Croat is increasingly needed at the control desk when it comes to launching the attacks of tomorrow's Champions League candidate who has made it to third place in the table.
On his best days, the German-African Bebou rounds off this. After beating the table sixteenth on Saturday, looking at his most recent hit rate, he said unusually boldly: “One goal is enough, but two are even better, the next goal should then be back be three. “The 18-year-old Ricardo Pepi, the American star striker who was transferred to table sixteenth FC Augsburg for a rumored 16 million euros, was amazed at his half-hour Bundesliga premiere at the speed and the quickness of action that Bebou had previously achieved with his first goal after submission von Raum, and his sensitivity for goal number two, as he lifted the ball over the Augsburg goalkeeper Gikiewicz. The early Augsburg lead with Gregoritsch's header (5th) was over and the game was finally lost,when the young national player David Raum had also scored the 3-1 for TSG (90th + 3).
The fact that Ihlas Bebou was once again in the focus of Hoffenheim and national football went perfectly with his contract extension. The center and wing striker, who came from the then Bundesliga relegated Hannover 96 in 2019, extended his relationship with TSG on December 17 of the previous year to June 30, 2026. Much to the delight of Alexander Rosen, the director of professional football in Hoffenheim. Born in Augsburg, he says of his jewel with the number 9 on his back: "Ihlas has developed into one of the most dangerous and sought-after strikers in the Bundesliga over the past few years." Like all league experts who like to watch Bebou at work, he appreciates Rosen his "explosive acceleration, his outstanding physique and his strong ball handling" highly. When the 27-year-old from Togo comeswho only has some catching up to do as a national player (29 appearances / one hit) in terms of accuracy, once started, he is often enough unstoppable.
What they also appreciate about Bebou in Hoffenheim is his willingness to learn and altruism in everyday dealings with his colleagues. Rosen calls the attacker, socialized in the Rhineland, an "excellent team player" who sees the former Brazilian ball artist Ronaldinho as his role model, even if he himself shines with his force and dynamism. His coach Sebastian Hoeneß, whose qualities are starting to shine in his second Bundesliga season after a difficult first year with many corona sufferers, including Bebou, and a bulging list of injuries, is looking forward to further cooperation with his currently best striker . In addition to his professional skills, he likes to certify that Bebou is a "very good guy".
One who fits well with TSG of the 2021/22 class, in which many individual qualities are networked in a brilliant collective.
In this ensemble, Ihlas Bebou has sharpened his profile sustainably.
He was celebrated on Saturday for his two goals and nevertheless pointed out in all modesty that he would be “also satisfied” “if we win without a goal from me”.
Which was the case with six of the nine Bundesliga victories so far this season.
TSG is not dependent on Bebou's goals, as was previously the case with Kramaric's goals, but they remain very welcome in the future.