The 2025/26 season was an interesting one for the development of Chido Obi; now, Manchester United have deemed him ready for a loan switch.
When Chido Obi made the move to Manchester United from Arsenal in 2024, there were a lot of suggestions that he would be fast-tracked through the ranks.
This became reality as Obi debuted under Ruben Amorim during his debut season, impressing at times and showing why he has a big future.
But this was probably more down to Rasmus Hojlund being so poor, because Obi was permanently with the academy during the 2025/26 season, with his all-round game needing improvement.
It was reported that United were ready to loan Obi out abroad, and now a move is reportedly close.
What is your INSTANT REACTION to Chido Obi’s 2025/26 season?
Chido Obi set to join FC Koln on loan
Over the course of the 2025/26 season, Obi developed a lot, going from strength to strength and taking his game to the next level, and is now a player ready to contribute at a senior level.
This could be at United in the coming seasons, but for the 2026/27 season, Obi looks set to be in Germany.
It is according to Pete O’Rourke that Obi is now in talks to join Bundesliga side FC Koln on loan for the upcoming campaign.
This would be a brilliant move for Obi, a proper high-level league where he will learn a lot, but also in a league where he could excel and score a lot of goals.
In a way, this loan feels like it could be make or break for Obi’s chances at United.
Either he shines in Germany and establishes himself as one of the best young strikers in Europe. Or he doesn’t, and then it would be hard to see him succeeding at Old Trafford.
But from the surface, it has markings of a good loan.
______ is the main problem with Man United’s loan system😡
What is the cause of the consistent failures? The players, the club or the loan clubs?
Obi could take the Bundesliga by storm
Koln are far from the best team in the Bundesliga ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, but playing at a top-five league level is impressive anyway for Obi.
Koln will go into next season with a new and inexperienced manager named Rene Wagner, but there is a suggestion that he is actually quite highly rated as a young coach.
This is perfect for Obi, as the side looks to avoid a relegation battle this season after surviving the 2025/26 season.
Despite being lower in the table, Obi will be joining a side who are more impressive offensively than their 14th-place finish suggested.
- 9th in Bundesliga for goals per match – 1.4
- 10th in Bundesliga for possession – 47%
- 8th in Bundesliga for expected goals – 52.8
- 7th in Bundesliga for shots on target per match – 4.7
- 10th in Bundesliga for big chances – 86
- 7th in Bundesliga for big chances missed – 59
- 8th in Bundesliga for accurate long balls per match – 23.7
- 4th in Bundesliga for accurate crosses per match – 5.1
- 8th in Bundesliga for touches in opponents’ box – 840
This all suggests that Obi won’t be in a side struggling to create chances, and he should get plenty of opportunities, with his 6ft 4in frame also suiting Koln’s tendency to hit long balls and crosses.
Obviously, if Said El Mala leaves, then Koln will lose a lot of their creativity, but they should be able to reinvest if he is sold, enough to give Obi a real chance.
If this loan goes through, Obi could be in for a really successful season.
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