Jordi Osei-Tutu is relishing the opportunity to face up against Xavier Amaechi and Hamburg on Friday, but he has a point to prove after his first few games.

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Jordi Osei-Tutu playing for loan side VfL Bochum 1848 (Photo via Twitter / VfLBochum1848eV)

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Over the summer, Osei-Tutu and Amaechi were two of the players to leave Arsenal’s u23 squad for a new challenge. Osei-Tutu went on loan to VfL Bochum, whilst Amaechi joined Hamburg in a permanent transfer.

As fate would have it, Amaechi has the chance to make his 2. Bundesliga debut for Hamburg against Bochum on Friday. Speaking in quotes reported by local outlet Hamburger Morgenpost, Osei-Tutu admitted he’s still close with his former teammate.

“We are very good friends, having played for Arsenal on the same wing and had a good time there,” Osei-Tutu said. “Every day we’re in contact, we message each other. He is a goal threat, has quick feet on the ball and is very fast.”

HAMBURG, GERMANY - JULY 29: Xavier Amaechi looks on during a training session at training ground near Volksparkstadion on July 29, 2019 in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images)
HAMBURG, GERMANY – JULY 29: Xavier Amaechi looks on during a training session at a training ground near Volksparkstadion on July 29, 2019, in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Osei-Tutu has made a couple of league appearances for Bochum so far, but the German media are yet to fully take to him. RevierSport recently wrote up a post on the Arsenal youngster, admitting that “doubts remain” about him.

According to RevierSport, Osei-Tutu is “yet to win over the Blau-Weiß fans and media” and “right now, he’s not at the level required for 2. Bundesliga football”.

Their assessment isn’t entirely negative though, as they add Osei-Tutu “has shown positive promising attacking prowess and tremendous pace” but they see him more as a winger than a full-back, given flaws in his game defensively.

Speaking in a press conference, Bochum coach Robin Dutt gave his assessment of Osei-Tutu and the club’s right-back situation in general.

“We have not yet found stability in the right-back position,” Dutt said. “As a coach, you must, of course, consider what other tactical options there are to combat this issue.

“I never write anyone off. He (Osei-Tutu) has to work hard to get the chance again. Sometimes players come back and sometimes they don’t. We will see which of those he is soon enough.”

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Jordi Osei-Tutu after signing for VfL Bochum (Photo via vfl-bochum.de)

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