Football Season Guide

Borussia Dortmund

In


Felix Nmecha (mid) VfL Wolfsburg; Marcel Sabitzer (mid) Bayern Munchen; Ramy Bensebaini (def) Borussia Monchengladbach; Thorgan Hazard (mid) PSV Eindhoven - end of loan;

Out


Jude Bellingham (mid) (k) Real Madrid; Ansgar Knauff (mid) Eintracht Frankfurt; Tom Rothe (def) Holstein Kiel - on loan; Raphael Guerreiro (def) (r) Bayern Munchen; Mahmoud Dahoud (sp) (mid) Brighton & Hove Albion; Felix Passlack (def) VfL Bochum; Luca Unbehaun (gk) SC Verl; Nico Schulz (def) released; Anthony Modeste (att) (sp) released; Nnmadi Collins (def) Eintracht Frankfurt; Soumaila Coulibaly (def) Royal Antwerp - on loan;

Last season ended in heartbreak for Dortmund as they came within a whisker of winning their first league title in 10 years. Needing just a win on the final day at home to Mainz, Eden Terzic’s men could only manage a draw and Bayern snuck in to take the Championship from their grasp. A wounded Dortmund will want to put things right this coming season but it will only get harder with Bayern strengthening their squad during the summer. Terzic has already taken Dortmund to new heights since his arrival but the major prize is what he and the fans desperately want. The loss of midfield maestro Bellingham to Real Madrid will hamper Dortmund slightly but they have shown before that they can cope with big-name players leaving. Haaland, Sancho, and Pulisic to name a few. New signing Felix Nmecha is not quite at the calibre of Bellingham but is a technically gifted box-to-box midfielder who can help out in attack as well as defence. Sabitzer from Bayern will also add experience and quality to the centre of the park. Left-back Ramy Bensebaini has joined from Gladbach as a replacement to the outgoing Guerreiro and will help to bring more leadership when needed. Dortmund still have a lot of young talent in the ranks with Duranville, Adeyemi, and Bynoe-Gittens all expected to make their mark this season. Goals shouldn’t be a problem again this season and going forward will be their strength. Striker Haller made a big difference after his return from illness and he should score plenty given the opportunities.

Target


Dortmund’s mental strength will continue to be brought into question until they can win a league title again. They have the capabilities to do it but success in the cup is more likely.