At Grasshopper Club Zürich, a player is currently growing up who symbolizes the value of the partnership with FC Bayern like no other. Jonathan Asp Jensen, the 19-year-old attacking player from Denmark, has turned a loan into a sporting sensation in just a few months – and is also an example of how much GC also benefits financially from the cooperation with the German record champions.
With five goals and four assists, Asp Jensen has not only played his way into the starting eleven, but also into the hearts of the fans. His solo runs against FC Zurich and Young Boys Bern, in which he took the ball long distances and finished with ice-cold precision, were particularly impressive.
GC sporting director Alain Sutter, once a Bayern professional himself, raves to blue Sport: „He knows what he can do. He knows he’s good. But without arrogance. And that’s a fine line.“ Sutter even jokes: „Anyone who wants to punish him takes the ball away from him.“
Coach Gerald Scheiblehner also sees far more in the Dane than a talented loan player. For him, Asp Jensen is a „difference-maker“ whose development is continuing consistently: „Johnny is on a very good path because he doesn’t rest despite his ability.“
Bayern loans as a business model
What is often openly communicated in Zurich: GC benefits twice over – not only in sporting terms, but also economically.
Sutter explains: „We have a financial stake in all of them. And that makes it incredibly attractive for us to loan players from Bayern.“ The Grasshoppers benefit every time a player is sold on – as was recently the case with Nestory Irankunda to Watford.
This means that Asp Jensen is not only a sporting key player, but also a potential asset for future income. For a club like GC, which is reliant on sustainable models, the Bayern cooperation is therefore a strategic cornerstone.
However, coach Scheiblehner makes it clear that sporting decisions are made independently of contract constellations: „I make no distinction between loan players and others. I didn’t even know at the beginning who had which contract situation.“ The only thing that matters is: „We are at GC – and you have to perform.“
A model with a future
Asp Jensen is an example of how modern soccer partnerships can work: Bayern receives valuable development for its talents, GC receives sporting quality and financial prospects – and the players benefit from a clear path to professional soccer.
This season could be just the beginning for the 19-year-old, but for Bayern and GC he is already a prime example of how a partnership can benefit both sides.