Following a fourth-place finish and Champions League qualification under Sebastian Hoeneß, VfB Stuttgart enters 2026/27 with a record investment in young striker Dženan Pejčinović, a new captain in Deniz Undav, and the challenge of balancing European ambitions against a fiercely competitive Bundesliga campaign. This is the definitive guide to the current Die Schwaben squad.
Technical Leadership & Coaching Profile
Manager: Sebastian Hoeneß
Hoeneß enters his fourth full season at the MHP Arena having firmly established Stuttgart as a Champions League regular. The 44-year-old has guided the club to consecutive top-four finishes and has publicly set ambitious targets for the campaign ahead: “We want to continue on our successful journey, but at the same time we mustn’t forget where we’ve come from and what sets us apart”. His tactical clarity and man-management have been central to Stuttgart’s resurgence, though the early-season fixture list — starting with a trip to Bayern Munich — has provided an immediate test of his squad’s credentials.
Tactical Philosophy
Hoeneß favours an aggressive, man-oriented defensive structure that can shift between a back three and a back four depending on the opposition. The DFB-Pokal opener against Rostock established the template: Deniz Undav dropping away from the opposition defence while a genuine striker pinned the final line. The system relies heavily on the midfield partnership of Angelo Stiller and Grischa Prömel to control build-up phases, with Chris Führich and Jamie Leweling providing width and directness in the attacking third. The early-season evidence suggests the attacking structure remains a work in progress, with Undav yet to rediscover his best form amid changing roles and partners.
Preferred Formations
4-2-3-1 / 3-4-2-1 in possession.
Strategic Transfer Activity
Stuttgart’s summer window was defined by the club-record pursuit of Dženan Pejčinović, a transfer saga that required multiple improved offers before Wolfsburg finally accepted approximately €25 million for the Germany U21 striker. The arrival of Grischa Prömel on a free transfer added proven Bundesliga experience to the midfield, while the permanent signing of Bilal El Khannouss from Leicester City secured a key creative asset. The club also invested in young talent with the arrivals of Leo Sauer, Marius Funk, and Tim van der Leij.
Table A: Summer Major Transfer Influx
| Player | Position | Former Club | Fee Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dženan Pejčinović | Striker | VfL Wolfsburg | €25m |
| Bilal El Khannouss | Attacking Midfielder | Leicester City | Permanent |
| Grischa Prömel | Central Midfielder | — | Free |
| Leo Sauer | Left Winger | — | Undisclosed |
| Marius Funk | Goalkeeper | — | Free |
| Tim van der Leij | Defender | — | Undisclosed |
The First-Team Roster
Goalkeepers
Fabian Bredlow (#1): The 31-year-old has been entrusted with the number one shirt following Dennis Seimen’s hamstring injury, and he has responded with a series of assured performances. Bredlow prevented Bayern from deciding the season opener considerably earlier, produced several excellent stops during Köln’s second-half surge, and has generally given Hoeneß no reason to regret the decision to trust him. His shot-stopping and command of the penalty area have provided a reassuring presence behind an evolving defensive structure.
Dennis Seimen (#41): The 20-year-old entered pre-season as Stuttgart’s intended new number one after returning from a productive loan at Paderborn, but a hamstring injury sustained in early October has delayed his breakthrough. Viewed as the long-term successor to Alexander Nübel, Seimen’s return to fitness will provide Hoeneß with a genuine selection dilemma.
Stefan Drljaca (#46): The 27-year-old provides experienced backup coverage, his presence adding depth to the goalkeeping department.
Marius Funk (#33): The summer arrival offers additional competition, his professionalism valued within the goalkeeping group.
Defenders
Jeff Chabot (#24): The commanding centre-back remains a physical presence in Stuttgart’s defensive line, his aerial dominance and front-foot defending providing the steel required for Hoeneß’s aggressive structure. At 28, his experience anchors a youthful defensive core.
Finn Jeltsch (#29): The 20-year-old has established himself as a first-team regular, his composure on the ball and reading of the game making him one of the most highly-rated young defenders in German football. Valued at €31.3 million, Jeltsch’s development trajectory suggests a long-term cornerstone.
Ramon Hendriks (#3): The Dutch defender returned from injury and provides composed left-sided defensive coverage, his versatility across centre-back and left-back offering tactical flexibility.
Ameen Al-Dakhil (#2): The Belgian defender offers additional depth and physical presence, his recovery pace valuable within Hoeneß’s demanding system.
Josha Vagnoman (#4): The right-back provides attacking thrust and defensive discipline, his overlapping runs offering width on the right flank.
Maximilian Mittelstädt (#7): The German international remains Stuttgart’s first-choice left-back, his energy and crossing ability providing balance on the left side of defence.
Leonidas Stergiou (#20): The Swiss defender offers reliable rotation coverage across the backline, his tactical intelligence making him a dependable option.
Lorenz Assignon (#22): The French right-back’s early-season availability has been disrupted by a shoulder injury, limiting his involvement.
Luca Jaquez (#14): The young centre-back continues his development within the first-team environment, though a muscle injury has delayed his early-season progress.
Dan-Axel Zagadou (#23): The towering French defender remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, his absence reducing Stuttgart’s defensive depth.
Midfielders
Angelo Stiller (#6): The midfield metronome remains central to everything Stuttgart do, his passing range and tactical intelligence providing the platform for Hoeneß’s possession-based approach. Valued at €34.5 million, Stiller’s ability to dictate tempo from deep positions makes him indispensable. When he was forced out of the Hoffenheim match, Hoeneß called upon 19-year-old Yanik Spalt, underlining Stiller’s importance to the structure.
Grischa Prömel (#21): The summer arrival from Hoffenheim brings extensive Bundesliga experience to the engine room. At 31, his tactical discipline and physical presence offer a different dimension to the more technically refined Stiller, though the partnership is still developing chemistry. Prömel was named vice-captain, reflecting his leadership standing within the squad.
Atakan Karazor (#16): The former captain has seen his role reduced following Undav’s appointment as skipper, and he now faces competition from younger options in central midfield. Karazor entered the summer as an established partner to Stiller, but has found himself behind the emerging Yanik Spalt in the pecking order.
Bilal El Khannouss (#11): The Moroccan international’s permanent arrival from Leicester City secured a key creative asset. Valued at €29.2 million, El Khannouss’s dribbling and final-third creativity offer a different dimension in the attacking midfield role.
Chris Führich (#10): The German winger remains a key attacking outlet when fit, his direct running and crossing ability providing width and service for the forward line.
Chema Andrés (#30): The young Spanish midfielder continues his development within the first-team squad, his physical profile and technical quality suggesting a bright future.
Nikolas Nartey (#28): The versatile midfielder has been deployed at right-back during pre-season, his adaptability offering Hoeneß tactical flexibility.
Mirza Catovic (#35): The 19-year-old academy graduate has earned a first-team squad number, representing the club’s continued commitment to youth development.
Forwards
Deniz Undav (#26): The newly appointed club captain remains Stuttgart’s most important attacker when functioning properly. Last season’s record signing has endured a disrupted start to the campaign, with Achilles problems providing important context for his subdued form. There have been flashes — two assists against Stavanger, an excellent pass that released Vagnoman against Dortmund — but too many league sequences have ended with Undav forcing a pass or rushing a finish. Hoeneß must find a way to restore the version of Undav that makes Stuttgart tick.
Dženan Pejčinović (#17): The club’s second-most expensive signing ever, arriving from Wolfsburg for approximately €25 million. The 21-year-old scored 12 goals in all competitions for the relegated Wolves last season and marked his competitive debut with a hat-trick in the DFB-Pokal against Rostock. At 1.90 metres tall, his physical profile and finishing instincts offer Stuttgart a genuine penalty-box presence, though he has since lost his starting place to Demirović’s resurgence.
Ermedin Demirović (#9): The Bosnian international has reminded everyone why keeping a proven Bundesliga goalscorer around might occasionally prove useful. After entering the summer with his future unresolved, Demirović scored against Köln and then netted a hat-trick against Stavanger four days later. His partnership with Undav — the captain creating from underneath while Demirović attacks the penalty area — has been the most encouraging attacking development of the early season. Round one of the striker battle goes to the Bosnian.
Jamie Leweling (#18): The German winger returned to first-team training following injury and provides pace and directness from wide areas. His availability adds a different dimension to Stuttgart’s attacking options.
Tiago Tomás (#8): The Portuguese forward offers energy and movement in the attacking line, though a muscle injury has disrupted his early-season involvement.
Badredine Bouanani (#?): The Algerian winger provides creativity and unpredictability from wide areas.
Justin Diehl (#?): The young forward adds depth to the attacking options, his development continuing within the first-team squad.
Leo Sauer (#44): The Slovakian winger arrived as part of Stuttgart’s investment in young attacking talent, his development under Hoeneß’s guidance offering long-term potential.
Jeremy Arévalo (#?): The young forward continues his development within the first-team environment.
Leadership Group & Squad Regulations
Club Captain: Deniz Undav
The 30-year-old striker was appointed captain for the 2026/27 season, succeeding Atakan Karazor, who had worn the armband for the previous two seasons. Undav’s standing within the squad and his importance to Stuttgart’s attacking structure made him the natural choice, though his early-season form has yet to reflect the responsibility.
The Leadership Committee
Grischa Prömel was named vice-captain, with Maximilian Mittelstädt and Ermedin Demirović designated as additional deputies. Prömel’s extensive Bundesliga experience and composed demeanor provide a valuable counterbalance to Undav’s more expressive leadership style.
Homegrown Quota Check
With Finn Jeltsch, Mirza Catovic, and several other academy graduates in the first-team squad, Stuttgart maintains a strong commitment to youth development. The club’s reputation for developing elite young talent is reinforced by the emergence of Jeltsch as a first-team regular and the continued investment in high-potential signings like Pejčinović and Sauer.
Financial & Contractual Health
Financial Balance Overview
Stuttgart’s €25 million investment in Dženan Pejčinović represents the second-most expensive signing in the club’s history, behind only Deniz Undav’s €26.7 million arrival. The deal required multiple improved offers before Wolfsburg accepted, underlining Stuttgart’s determination to secure their priority target. Sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth emphasised the club’s strengthened position: “We don’t have any pressure to buy or sell players”.
Contract Red Alerts
Securing the long-term futures of key young assets like Finn Jeltsch and Angelo Stiller will be a priority. Pejčinović’s contract until 2031 provides long-term security, but his development will inevitably attract attention from Europe’s elite clubs if he fulfils his potential.
The Academy Pipeline & Loan Tracker
Breakout Talents to Watch
Yanik Spalt was called upon ahead of Atakan Karazor when Stiller was forced out of the Hoffenheim match, with Hoeneß explaining that Spalt more closely resembles Stiller’s profile. His emergence offers long-term midfield depth. Finn Jeltsch is already a first-team regular at 20 and represents the most exciting defensive talent in the squad.
Notable Out on Loan
Stuttgart’s focus on immediate first-team integration for the new arrivals means the loan tracker is less prominent, with the squad assembled for competitive contribution across the Bundesliga, Champions League, and DFB-Pokal.
Set-Piece Specialists & FPL Cheat Sheet
Penalties: Deniz Undav (First Choice) / Ermedin Demirović (Second Choice).
Direct Free-Kicks: Chris Führich / Bilal El Khannouss.
Corners & Crosses: Chris Führich / Maximilian Mittelstädt.
Final Outlook: Navigating the Tactical Horizon
VfB Stuttgart enters 2026/27 with genuine momentum and a clear ambition: to compete on three fronts after consecutive top-four finishes established the club as a Champions League regular. The €25 million investment in Dženan Pejčinović signals the board’s commitment to supporting Hoeneß’s project, while the retention of Ermedin Demirović provides a proven Bundesliga goalscorer who has already demonstrated his value.
The early-season evidence is mixed. The 5-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in the season opener exposed the gulf in class between Stuttgart and the champions, while subsequent results have been inconsistent. The striker battle between Pejčinović and Demirović has been the most compelling subplot, with the Bosnian’s hat-trick against Stavanger and his partnership with Undav offering the most encouraging attacking template.
The defensive structure remains a work in progress, with injuries to Zagadou, Assignon, and Jaquez limiting Hoeneß’s options. Fabian Bredlow’s assured performances in goal have provided stability, but the return of Dennis Seimen will present a selection dilemma.
The challenges ahead are substantial. The Champions League’s demands will test squad depth, and the fixture list becomes increasingly congested as autumn progresses. If Undav can rediscover his best form, if the Pejčinović-Demirović partnership continues to develop, and if the defensive structure solidifies, Stuttgart possess every tool to challenge for another top-four finish. The margin for error is thin, but the ambition is undeniable.
