Door to the starting lineup is open: Styopa Mkrtchyan gets a big chance at Nürnberg
- Author: Vahe Hakobyan
- Sportaran
Nürnberg’s first-choice central defenders have left the team this summer and will continue their careers at Bundesliga clubs.
Georgian defender Luka Lochoshvili has joined Köln for €4.9 million, while team captain Fabio Gruber has become a Mainz player. The transfer fee for the Peruvian footballer was €3.5 million.
Against the backdrop of these departures, Armenia national team defender Styopa Mkrtchyan now has a real chance to establish himself in the squad of the 2. Bundesliga club.
Nürnberg are rebuilding the center of defense
Miroslav Klose’s team has already signed two new central defenders. The club brought in 24-year-old German Finn Otto from the third division, with his market value estimated at €600,000. Nürnberg have also strengthened the squad with 21-year-old Greek defender Alexios Kalogeropoulos from Olympiacos. His value is estimated at €1.5 million.
If the situation does not change, Styopa Mkrtchyan and Alexios Kalogeropoulos could form Nürnberg’s first-choice central defensive pairing next season. At first glance, this is a fairly young and not the most experienced duo, but such a bet on promising players is very much in line with Nürnberg’s style.
A chance for the Armenia national team defender
For Mkrtchyan, the upcoming season could become one of the most important of his career. After the departures of Lochoshvili and Gruber, the competition in central defense has changed, and the Armenian defender now has a chance to earn regular playing time.
If Styopa manages to establish himself in Nürnberg’s starting lineup and have a strong season in the 2. Bundesliga, it could be a major step forward for him. In the long term, successful performances in Germany could open the door for the Armenia national team defender to a Bundesliga club within the next 2-3 seasons.
Mkrtchyan joined Nürnberg in the winter of 2026 from Croatian club Osijek for €800,000. Last season, the 23-year-old Armenian played in three matches and suffered an injury near the end of the campaign, but he has now recovered and is preparing for the start of the 2026/27 season.