Who are the new BVB expendables?
German footballing magazine Kicker doesn't pose the question directly, but a report on Julian Brandt's disappointing training camp raises an issue. Will Dortmund's high-price players will be willing to play second fiddle to emerging teenagers?
Borussia Dortmund showed absolutely no hesitation in last January’s transfer window. Having acquired Erling Haaland and Emré Can, Sporting Director Michael Zorc immediately offloaded Julian Weigl, Paco Alcacer, and Jacob Bruun Larssen. He had no need for them anymore.
The sudden rise of the teenagers at Signal Iduna Park, not to mention an oversized roster of 29 players, likely means that Zorc will face similar decisions before the transfer window slams shut on October 5th.
Few could have anticipated Jude Bellingham’s rapid rise. The 17-year-old’s quick claim of a spot in the starting XI begs the question as to whether Thomas Delaney and Mahmoud Dahoud have near term futures with the club.
Bellingham’s ascent, combined with Giovanni Reyna’s progress, means that one of last summer’s prized acquisitions, Julian Brandt, may be pushed out of the lineup by two teenagers. The same applies to last summer’s other big prize: Thorgan Hazard. The pair cost a combined €50 million last year.
Much as it is unlikely, Reyna’s emergence may even reinvigorate talks to sell winger Jadon Sancho. Manchester United remain interested in him, even if Zorc shows no signs of backing down from the €120 million asking price.