A Dortmund Wishlist for the 2017 Summer Transfer Window
By Aidan Reagh
The past summers for Borussia Dortmund have seen an onslaught of transfer offers coming in for star names. Despite the repeated windows of players exiting, CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke always does an excellent job bringing in replacements without breaking the bank.
With the transfer season set to get underway soon, here are a few things
that should be on Dortmund’s “wishlist” for the transfer season.
The first and most pressing item on my wishlist for the summer window is holding on to key players. Up to this point, Borussia Dortmund has been a selling club.
It would be in Dortmund’s best interest for the 2017 transfer season to be the start of something new. The new philosophy Dortmund need to adapt is to no longer sell top talent along with keeping and developing young talent.
A primary goal of this effort will be to keep Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Marco Reus, and Sokratis. If Dortmund can continue developing the youth and keep the stars, title contention will surely come.
Regarding keeping personnel, keeping Thomas Tuchel is just as important as keeping the star players. The mumbles of a falling out between Tuchel and Watzke are persistent, and unfortunately smoke usually means there is fire.
Although managers are available, I do not rate any as highly as Tuchel. The only replacement I would be comfortable with would be Hoffenheim manager Julian Nagelsmann, but Nagelsmann has never had to endure a Bundesliga campaign with European football involved.
Assuming both Tuchel and the star names stick around, additions are needed to bolster title hopes. Veteran defender Omer Toprak has already signed from Bayer Leverkusen to be an experienced upgrade on a weak Dortmund defensive line.
In addition to Toprak, Dortmund have secured the services of German youth international and Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud. Dahoud will hopefully add some energy and fitness to an injury-plagued midfield but I still believe defense is a glaring weakness for Borussia Dortmund.
Another proven defender that will not break the bank is a necessary addition. Some names that come to mind include Hoffenheim stalwart Benjamin Hubner, who will be very affordable and has proven his capabilities this season with consistent performances. Alongside Hubner, the Juventus trained FC Köln man named Frederik Sorensen would be an affordable option.
Sorensen still has a long career ahead of him at just 25 years old but has made 31 strong appearances for FC Köln this season.
Another youthful presence is not a critical need but would be welcome to the defensive ranks. Young names that top my wishful shortlist include Chelsea youngster Andreas Christensen, Ajax starlet Matthijs de Ligt, and Freiburg rotational man Marc-Oliver Kempf.
Andreas Christensen has spent this season with a sky-rocketing market value and very respectable performances on loan with Borussia Monchengladbach. Matthijs de Ligt is only a young 17 years old but has emerged as one of the first names on the team-sheet this season for Ajax manager Petr Bosz. Marc-Oliver Kempf has appeared just 13 times this season in Freiburg’s strong Bundesliga campaign and has shown some youthful mistakes, but has also shown moments of promise as a top talent for Freiburg and Germany.
With all additions to a squad comes subtractions. To make room for a growing wage bill, a few players come to mind for an exit. Matthias Ginter, a far from familiar name among the supporters, needs to spend time on a different stomping ground.
Ginter has shown some respectable moments in his somewhat weak campaign, along with still being relatively young. If Ginter leaves, I believe it should only be a loan or include a buy-back clause in case he proves he is capable.
Joo-Ho Park has made just one appearance this season and Dortmund are deep in fullback options, there is no need for him to be on the team. Dortmund should sell Park for any fee that a club is willing to offer.
With Dahoud arriving, central midfield is looking very crowded. A series of injuries gave everyone minutes last season in the center of the park, but if Dortmund is confident that they can avoid injuries for the upcoming campaign, someone needs to go.
Sebastian Rode only arrived last summer, but he has not made a positive impact on the side. Mikel Merino also came last season and is considerably younger than Rode, but does not appear to be of the caliber needed for him to be trusted. Simply, Dortmund needs to either sell Rode or loan out Merino.
To summarize; Keep, Buy, Sell. The simple wishlist that I believe can lead to Dortmund title contention.
NOTE: Players suggested for transfers in this article are not necessarily linked in transfer moves to or from Borussia Dortmund.