It was quite the weekend for Bundesliga full-backs, with former West Ham United favourite-turned-Hoffenheim hero Vladimir Coufal only outdone by Borussia Dortmund’s set-piece specialist Julian Ryerson.
Ryerson, one of the more underrated talents in a Norway side fabled for their free-scoring frontline, provided no fewer than four assists as Niko Kovac’s dark horses remain on the heels of Bayern Munich’s pedigree stallions.
The right-back set up all four of Dortmund’s goals in a comfortable victory over Mainz.
Vlad is statistically the BEST right-back in Europe! 🇨🇿 🫨
How do you feel about the decision to let him go now?
Vladimir Coufal of Hoffenheim in action during the Bundesliga match between TSG Hoffenheim and SC Freiburg at PreZero-Arena on February 14, 2026 in Sinsheim, Germany.
Coufal would end the Bundesliga weekend with two assists of his own. The Conference League winner has reached his ‘best level’ since leaving the London Stadium last summer – West Ham United decided against extending his contract – and continues to break new ground over in Germany.
When Coufal fired a free-kick into the Bayern net only weeks into his Hoffenheim career, he did something he never did in half a decade in England. He scored a goal. Now, with a brace of assists taking his tally to seven, the Czech Republic veteran needs only one more to make 2025/26 the most productive season of his league career.
Per stats site WhoScored, Coufal is the highest performing right-back in Europe’s top five leagues this season. With only three months of the campaign remaining, the 33-year-old joins former West Ham captain Declan Rice in their prospective Team of the Season.
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Vladimir Coufal rated Europe’s best right-back after West Ham Untied exit
Long-time friend Tomas Soucek could not believe his ears when it emerged that Graham Potter had decided to let Coufal leave the London Stadium for free. Soucek felt – rightly, as it turned out – that Coufal still had a lot left to offer.
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Hoffenheim were never going to make the same call.
TSG Hoffenheim v FC Augsburg - Bundesliga
Photo by Simon Hofmann/Getty Images
“Vlad brings enormous experience and gives our team a lot of stability on the right side,” sporting director Andreas Schicker said after it was confirmed today that Coufal had signed a new deal in Sinsheim.
“With his professionalism, his mentality, and of course his performances, he is an important part of our team both on and off the pitch. He takes responsibility, leads by example, and is also a role model for our younger players.
“We are very pleased that we are continuing our journey together with him, as Vlad is an absolute anchor in our plans.”
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Adama Traore of West Ham United is challenged by Sebastian Revan of Burton Albion during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Burton Albion and West Ham United at Pirelli Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Burton-upon-Trent, England.
Coufal thinks moving to the Bundesliga has helped him get better
Coufal’s two assists, in a 3-0 thrashing of Freiburg, mean Hoffenheim go into the final three months of the season with a Champions League spot theirs to lose. Christian Ilzer’s surprise packages are third in the table, only six points behind Dortmund in second.
For context, other players in WhoScored’s prospective Team of the Season contain Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, Barcelona whizzkid Lamine Yamal, and Bayern Munich duo Luis Diaz and Harry Kane.
“I was quickly convinced by the move to TSG and by the project with many young players,” Coufal told Kicker recently. “I like that. [Helping the youngsters] is why I’m here. We’re building something good, we play good football. And in a successful team, the individual players will also improve.
“I’m very happy with the development and that people like my style of play.
“I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in, and fitter than ever. Our coach [Christian Ilzer] is very demanding and challenging. He places great emphasis on the basics of fitness. It’s definitely more strenuous than in England.
“I’ve never trained this intensively before. Maybe in my first year at Slavia Prague, which was similar. If I stay healthy, I’m sure I can play at this level for another two or three years.”
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