VfB Stuttgart find themselves in an uncomfortable position early in the season, sitting 15th in the Bundesliga with only three points from four matches. The pressure is building on Sebastian Hoeneß, whose side lost 1-2 to Hoffenheim in their most recent league outing, as reported by Goal. That result leaves Stuttgart level on points with Hamburg directly below them, and the club faces a trip to Paderborn on October 10 needing a response.

Amid the on-pitch struggles, the brightest news surrounds 20-year-old defender Finn Jeltsch, who received his first call-up to the German national team for the Nations League fixtures against Serbia and Greece. Bundestrainer Jürgen Klopp praised him as an "extraordinary defender" with "extraordinary athleticism," as covered by Goal. The recognition has drawn wider attention, with Goal reporting that Real Madrid are monitoring Jeltsch as a potential long-term successor to Antonio Rüdiger, whose contract expires in 2027. Bayern Munich, Arsenal, and Liverpool have also been linked, though Goal notes no concrete offers have arrived. Jeltsch is contracted until 2030 with no release clause.

Off the pitch, a longer-term concern looms. Goal's report highlights that eight key players, including Angelo Stiller, Chris Führich, and Maximilian Mittelstädt, have contracts expiring in 2028, and renewing all of them would exceed the club's budget. Stuttgart face difficult decisions about their squad's future as early as this winter.