The genealogy of the surname Hofmann comes from the Alsace-Lorraine region and unlike the purely German version ‘Hoffmann’ means farmer. Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Jonas Hofmann is certainly living up to the family name in the early part of the Bundesliga season as he reaps the harvest and enjoys the fruit of his labours.
The 28-year-old versatile midfielder is enjoying a very impressive start to the season and his form has been so good that he recently won a first call-up to the German national team by Bundestrainer Joachim Löw.
Aside from the opening weekend defeat to Borussia Dortmund, Hofmann has been involved in a goal in every one of his appearances this season across seven games in the league, DFB Pokal and Champions League and will be looking to continue that impressive form when the Fohlen take on Real Madrid in the Champions League this week at the Borussia Park.
Hofmann came off the bench this weekend to score the equaliser at Mainz from the penalty spot to help put Mönchengladbach on the way to three points, and that came a week after his first Bundesliga goal of 2020-21 against VfL Wolfsburg. In between those strikes came a first Champions League goal in the 2-2 draw with Inter at the San Siro. The midfielder has turned provider with two assists versus Köln, one against Union Berlin and then on Saturday as he set up Matthias Ginter for the winner at the Opel Arena. He is currently averaging a goal or assist every 77 minutes.
Only Robert Lewandowski, Erling Haaland and Thomas Müller have more scorer points that him in the Bundesliga thus far and his midfield partnership with Florian Neuhaus is grabbing the attention in the early part of the season. The spotlight had been expected to shine on Alassane Plea and Marcus Thuram after their goalscoring exploits of last season, but so far Hofmann is the player hogging the limelight.
His talent and potential have always been evident, but injuries have impacted his career and to some he is seen as a late bloomer having to wait until age 28 for his international call-up. Hofmann’s instincts are to attack (and to do so quickly and directly). He can play anywhere across the attacking midfield third, but his recent success has come in a more central role where he is able to engage as the playmaker just behind the strikers.
His Germany debut in the friendly with Turkey was deserved, but it came at a time when a host of players were unavailable to Jogi Löw. However, should his stunning early season form continue, he will have more than a chance of further call-ups to the Nationalmannschaft.
