Football Season Guide

Dortmund salvaged a disappointing campaign by securing Champions League qualification on the final day of last season. The club struggled under inexperienced boss Sahin and he was eventually let go. Croatian Kovac got them firing again winning 7 of their last 8 games. Despite good performances in Europe, the Black and Yellow have dropped off domestically in the last few campaigns, so Kovac will be hoping to get them competing at the top again this season. Dortmund have been relatively quiet in the transfer market so far, and you feel a few more additions will be needed for this to happen. The signing of young talent Jobe Bellingham is of course an exciting addition to the midfield, but whether he can have the same influence as old brother Jude did, remains to be seen. Dortmund also secured the permanent signatures of Daniel Svensson and Yan Couto, who both impressed on loan last season. The fact that Dortmund have managed to keep hold of their better players is certainly a plus, goalkeeper Kobel, striker Guirassy and defender Schlotterbeck are all still on board which gives them strength across all ends of the pitch. Winger Bynoe-Gittens has left for Chelsea, but didn’t seem to fit into Kovac’s plans much anyway last season. There is no doubt that Dortmund will be a match for most and should be strong offensively, however, maintaining consistency throughout a long campaign could be an issue with strength in depth lacking at present.