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Full nameKjell-Arik Wätjen
PositionDefensive midfielder
NationalityGermany
Age20
Date of birth28 Jun 2006
BirthplaceGevelsberg
Height174 cm
Shirt number#8
ClubVfL Bochum
Defensive midfielder
26
Appearances
3
Goals
0
Assists
1257
Minutes

Domestic-league season · VfL Bochum.

Performance data · by competition

CompetitionAppsGAMinMatch
2. Bundesliga263012576.73
DFB Pokal3012126.83
UEFA U19 Championship - Qualificationat Germany U19210158

Scout report

Squad depthDefensive midfielder

K. Wätjen is a 20-year-old defensive midfielder at VfL Bochum, rated 62.3 overall by Field Insider's model, ranking 49th of 320 on scout potential in the 2. Bundesliga and 173rd of 995 U-21 players tracked. A young player, he has been a rotation option this season (42.3% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 2.72 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Wätjen.

Judged on this season alone, Wätjen graded 23 — a workmanlike campaign that ranks 24th of 37 of the 37 defensive midfielders in the 2. Bundesliga, on 3 goals, 0 assists and 2.721 defensive actions per 90.

Year-on-year, that's a clear step up on last season (Season 5 → 23). Across the 3 seasons we hold, it's his best return yet.

On long-term talent our Rating reads 62, top 25% of the 37 defensive midfielders in the 2. Bundesliga. At 20 Wätjen is still climbing toward his ceiling, and a market index of 20.2 reflects that trajectory.

From the career report
Read the full career report →

A career still climbing — Wätjen is at his peak right now, and the curve hasn't flattened.

Peak: 2025/26Trending upBreakout: 2025/26Stepped up 2025/26
Current potentialTop 25% defensive midfielders · 2. BundesligaCurrent season24th of 37 defensive midfielders · 2. Bundesliga24th-best defensive midfielder in the 2. Bundesliga49th in the 2. Bundesliga · potential9th-highest potential defensive midfielder in the 2. Bundesliga173rd-highest potential U-21 tracked
62.3
Ratingi
9th of 37 defensive midfielders
23.4
Seasoni
below regular-starter level
42.3%
Minutes
rotation minutes
2.72
Def. actions / 90
moderate defensive volume

Output in context · VfL Bochum finished 9th of 18 · a mid-table side

2.72
Def. / 90
30
Tackles
7
Interceptions
3
Clean sheets

2.72 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — moderate defensive volume, with 3 clean sheets across 26 appearances. Going forward he chipped in 3 goals and 0 assists — a useful bonus from the back.

Strengths

  • Attacking threat. Chips in from deep: 0.22 goal involvements per 90, useful for a defensive midfielder.
  • Ceiling. High potential at just 20 — room to grow into a bigger role.

Watch points

  • Game time. Only 42.3% of available minutes — needs a settled run to prove the level.

Outlook

With a Rating of 62.3, Wätjen carries the 9th-highest potential of the defensive midfielders in the 2. Bundesliga (top 25%). Defensively he reads as moderate defensive volume (2.72 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90). At 20 the trajectory points up — potential sits near its ceiling (98/100) and market value should climb as minutes and output follow. With this floor already at 20, the ceiling gets tested by a step up in level — one to track.

Generated from Field Insider's rating model · AI-written analysis to follow.

Transfer news

No transfer news found for this player.