Who is Merlin Rohl? The Bundesliga starlet eyed by Newcastle, Palace & Everton

Tom Weber

• Updated: 7 May 2024 10:51 CDT
• 6 min read

Merlin Rohl has been one of the Bundesliga's breakout stars of the 2023/24 season.

A versatile midfielder who has been forced to play pretty much everywhere for an injury-hit SC Freiburg, the 21-year-old has earned plaudits throughout the campaign and is regarded as one of Germany's most interesting prospects.

His form and potential have, unsurprisingly, attracted Premier League interest and it is expected that he will become yet another talent flipped for a huge profit by the brilliantly run Freiburg. According to Germany's U21 coach Antonio di Salvo, the youngster 'can do it all.'

So, who is Merlin Rohl and how good is he really?

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What position does Rohl play in?

Rohl personally sees his ideal role as a box-to-box central midfielder, but the youngster has often featured as an attacking midfielder, on the wing and in a more defensive role.

How good is Rohl?

Born in Berlin, Rohl came through the youth setup of Potsdam-based Babelsberg before making the switch to Bavarian side FC Ingolstadt. The youngster immediately impressed in his new surroundings and became a regular fixture in the German third division at just 18 years old, helping Ingolstadt get promoted back to the 2. Bundesliga and keeping his place in the side.

After an impressive start to the 2022/23 season and with a move to Borussia Monchengladbach having fallen through, SC Freiburg swooped for the wonderkid and snapped him up for just €2.9 million. The midfielder initially headed back to the 3. Liga, mostly featuring for the reserves, who achieved a surprising second-place finish.

In 23/24, however, Rohl established himself as a regular in Freiburg's first team, making 24 Bundesliga appearances and playing eight times in the Europa League. One of the problems the midfielder and SCF at large faced during the campaign were frequent injury issues preventing Rohl from consistently playing in his best role.

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The youngster had to deputise all over the pitch, including on the wings, as a second striker and in a more defensive role. The player himself, however, believes that he is best suited to a box-to-box role in central midfield, a position he hasn't always been able to play because of the exigencies of the team. In November 2023, Rohl netted his first Bundesliga goal and made sure that it was a special one after a brilliant solo run against RB Leipzig.

An injury ultimately cut his season short and he finished the campaign with three goals and four assists to his name. The thing about Rohl is that he doesn't really look like your typical box-to-box midfielder. Despite being quite lanky and standing at a towering 191cm (6ft 3in), the German youth international is rapid and boasts brilliant technical ability. Composed in possession and able to dribble his way out of trouble, Merlin certainly is a wizard on the ball.

Indeed, given his size, athleticism and skill set, Rohl has been described as the full package by Germany's U21 coach Antonio di Salvo. "He's tall, really quick and can play pretty much everywhere," he told Kicker in February 2024. "One of his biggest strengths is his ability to make up ground with the ball at his feet."

Not only is Rohl a unique talent, he is also a unique personality. "Merlin is a very thoughtful, interesting person," Di Salvo says. "I have had some good talks with him, including outside of football." Rohl prefers reading books or facing teammate Florent Muslija in a chess match instead of playing video games. He rides his bike to training - like a few Freiburg players - and has neither Instagram nor Twitter (at least not publically).

Thanks to recent big-money sales such as Kevin Schade and Mark Flekken, Freiburg are under no pressure to immediately cash in on their sought-after talents. Rohl is one of the most in-demand players at the Black Forest outfit, but despite Premier League interest, the plan is to keep the midfielder at least until 2025.

Rohl is expected to become a really key player for Freiburg in 2024/25 under new coach Julian Schuster, who will replace the legendary Christian Streich in the summer. Schuster was important in integrating Rohl into the club after his arrival and he could soon help him make the step up to Premier League level.

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What clubs are interested in Rohl?

According to Kicker, Rohl's performances have attracted interest in Germany and abroad, particularly in England.

In May 2024, Alan Nixon claimed that Everton are interested in Rohl as a replacement for Amadou Onana, with a fee of €15 million potentially enough to sign him. Crystal Palace and Newcastle United were also mentioned as suitors.

When does Rohl's contract expire?

It is not known when Rohl's Freiburg contract expires.

How old is Rohl?

Rohl was born on July 5, 2002, making him 21 years old.

What is Rohl's Instagram?

Merlin Rohl does not have an official Instagram account as of May 2024.