Paris Brunner Has Arrived in Bruges Just in Time for the End of the Season. He Can Therefore Hope for a Place in the Monaco Squad in the Summer Preparation.
Better late than never. Paris Brunner flashed his talent shortly before the end of his time at Cercle Brugge in Belgium and helped his team in the relegation battle.
First a step-over with his right foot, then a change of pace past the goalkeeper on the left. Finally, the 19-year-old only had to push the ball over the goal line – the temporary 2-0 lead for Bruges in the first leg of the relegation play-off at Patro Eisden Maasmechelen (5-1).
Paris Brunner Recently Shone for Bruges
And Brunner – the former BVB jewel, on whom so many hopes had been placed – followed up with his second goal shortly afterwards.
“Brunner in killer fashion”
“Paris Brunner in killer mode,” wrote the football portal Onefootball, describing Brunner’s dribbling against the opposing goalkeeper as “devastating.”
For the U17 World Champion, who is currently on loan from AS Monaco to Bruges, it was his first brace in professional football. Brunner is getting into his stride towards the end of his time in Belgium – and could also play a decisive role in the second leg of the relegation play-off on Friday evening.
Brunner: Four Games, Four Goals
The attacker scored four goals in the last four competitive games for Bruges – he even played the full distance in the comfortable win last Thursday.
His overall record in the current season: six goals in 27 games, he did not manage an assist.
“Things can quickly go one way or the other for top talents like Paris. They have to be careful not to crash. But they can also quickly ignite at the right station,” said youth expert and ex-professional Matthias Strohmaier at the end of March with regard to the situation at Absolutely football.
At the time, he still considered the situation to be “worrying” because Brunner was “standing in his own way.”
Brunner Leaves BVB
The fact that Brunner’s performances fluctuated had already been evident at Borussia Dortmund, whom he had left last summer after failed contract negotiations.
“We would have liked to tie Paris to Borussia Dortmund in the long term, but unfortunately he did not want to go along with the path we had shown him,” said BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl in August 2024, criticizing the teenager’s ideas, who is said to have demanded a place in the first team.
BVB did not want to comply with this – especially because Brunner, who had played an outstanding role at the U17 World Cup 2023, never managed to make the breakthrough.
Brunner Without a Competitive Appearance for BVB
In addition, he repeatedly attracted attention due to escapades off the pitch. It was not enough for the jewel to make a competitive appearance for the professionals, and Brunner was rarely considered by ex-coach Nuri Sahin in the summer preparation last year.
The youngster was looking for a new challenge at Monaco or loan club Bruges – and could be rewarded almost a year later.
“We want him to come to us in preparation to see if we can integrate him into the first team,” said Monaco’s General Manager Thiago Scuro recently. “He is a very talented player, we believe in him.”