Kovac explains beginning locations for Vranckx and Paredes: "We're in a meritocracy."

By Peter Weis @PeterVicey

VfL Wolfsburg coach Niko Kovac – amongst different issues – coated the subject of his latest personnel decisions at a Monday presser.

VfL Wolfsburg coach Niko Kova made no apologies for his determination to bench squad skipper Maximilian Arnold for the second consecutive match throughout Sunday’s 2-2 draw with SV Werder Bremen. The 29-year-old captain made approach for Belgian Aster Vranckx in each the latest cup win over RB Leipzig and the most recent league encounter. The transfer got here as considerably of a shock on condition that Wolfsburg have been actively making an attempt to dump Vranckx over the past switch window.

“We’re in a meritocracy,” Kovac stated, “And if Aster does nicely, I am unable to clarify to him that he’ll be out once more within the subsequent recreation. Then he’ll be indignant, so Max might be indignant in the intervening time. Which is okay. If Aster continues to play like that, than I’ve no different. Each participant has an opportunity to supply himself in coaching. The coach decides on the lineup and everybody has to respect that. It’s a must to wait in your likelihood should you fall behind.”

Kovac additionally spoke on one other new addition to his beginning XI. Versatile American attacker Kevin Paredes – after making only one begin for Kovac final yr – has featured within the XI on the final two league match days. The Driving, Virginia native was instrumental in a VfL objective scored final week in opposition to Augsburg and netted his second Bundesliga objective in Sunday’s draw.

Paredes’ integration within the XI has a lot to do with the absence of Patrick Wimmer resulting from damage, however Kovac wished to make sure that the 20-year-old’s inclusion was completely additionally benefit primarily based. Paredes had, till lately, been used virtually solely by Kovac as a spark plug off the bench.

“Kevin is an asset to our workforce because of his enthusiasm for the sport,” Kovac stated of the teenager, “Irrespective of which place he performs in, whether or not it is on the wing, at left again within the again three or at quantity eight. I am delighted with this improvement and he is not an American worldwide for nothing. He’ll proceed to get his likelihood. If he continues to coach so nicely and work arduous, I can see a very good future for him.”