Frankfurt offer 38-year-old Hasebe contract extension

Eintracht Frankfurt sporting director Markus Kroesche said 38-year-old Japanese defender Makoto Hasebe could decide how long he wants to keep playing with the club, despite being the Bundesliga’s oldest player.

Speaking on Wednesday ahead of the German club’s away clash against Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League, Kroesche said the decision was solely up to Hasebe. 

“We discussed (with him) that he decides whether he wants to keep playing or not… it’s entirely in his hands,” Kroesche told Sky.

“When Makoto says he wants to play another year, then he’ll keep playing (with us).

“Makoto is a professional. He not only has a lot of experience, but he treats his body in a professional fashion.

“He uses his experience to anticipate because he is a very clever player. He’s an important stabiliser for us.”

Hasebe has played 271 games for Frankfurt since joining in 2014. A former Japan captain, he played 114 games before retiring from international football after the 2018 World Cup. 

Hasebe has been tasked with defending Tottenham striker Harry Kane on Wednesday, having successfully kept him and the Spurs frontline scoreless in last week’s home fixture. 

Speaking on Tuesday, Hasebe said Tottenham “was more than just Harry Kane.”

“Son (Heung-min) and Richarlison are top-quality players. We need to defend well as a team.”

Frankfurt and Spurs currently sit on four points behind leaders Sporting Lisbon in Group D with three matches played.