HSV’s highest‑paid striker faces criticism for limited appearances

The first Härtetest in the Freundschaftsspiel on Samstagnachmittag against FC Everton of the English Premier League saw HSV lose in the Nachspielzeit, 1:2, with the new HSV-Topverdiener named in the Startelf.

Yussuf Poulsen, a 32‑year‑old Däne and one of the Legionäre at the Hamburgern, was the player highlighted in that lineup.

His sole Bundesliga‑Tor came in a 3:2 derby triumph over Werder Bremen, a goal that shattered the Jubeldämme at the Volksparkstadion.

After the Spiel Poulsen laughed, “Eigentlich müsste ich meine Karriere jetzt beenden,” joking about ending his Karierre.

The match marked only one of fifteen Auftritte for the Däne in the German top flight and his only appearance in the Startelf, which occurred in the last‑minute 1:1 draw with BVB on 8 November 2025.

HSV broke the internal rule that no player should receive more than €1.8 million as a Grundgehalt, a limit the club had set for its Hamburger squad.

Meanwhile, Fabio Vieira, a 26‑year‑old loan from Arsenal, reportedly earned over €2 million last season, and his future remained a topic of discussion on 2 August 2026.

If the Portuguese forward returns to London, Poulsen will stay the HSV-Topverdiener, supplemented by additional Prämien and Bonuszahlungen.

According to SPORT , the Däne’s earnings in Leipzig at the Ende of his contract were just €1 million.