What Yarmolenko’s Addition Means for the Borussia Dortmund Squad

On Monday, Borussia Dortmund announced the signing of Andriy Yarmolenko from Dynamo Kiev.

The Ukrainian winger has finally joined Borussia Dortmund after years of speculation. You can read about the details of his transfer here on BVB Buzz.

With Yarmolenko in the Dortmund squad now, it’s important to discuss what role he will take up under Peter Bosz. I’ll be answering some reoccurring questions I’ve seen about the new signing.

Yarmolenko is wearing the #9. Does that mean Emre Mor is on his way out?

Yes. After being linked a number of Serie A clubs, Emre Mor has officially transferred to Celta Vigo in Spain.

Emre Mor primarily played on the wings, and that is where Yarmolenko plays as well. Being 27 and considering his past achievements in Ukraine, it’s safe to say Yarmolenko will also get more playing time than young Mor did.

Is he any good?

Personally, I haven’t seen him play. I can only go off statistics. He was top scorer in Ukraine last season, and consistently hit high numbers in the seasons before.

What has been noted is that he has been very average in the Champions League. Goals scored in a season for European competition have always been single digits.

Now this doesn’t mean he can’t perform against top teams. Dynamo Kiev isn’t exactly a European superpower that attracts the best of the best attackers. I think given good service from the rather talented fullbacks and midfielders in the Dortmund lineup, his numbers should go up.

It’s also worth noting that he performs well with the Ukrainian national team. If he’s able to score with the national team service, then he should flourish in Germany.

It’s been said that Yarmolenko’s playing style is similar to that of Arjen Robben. He has a strong left foot and a weak right foot. His natural position is on the right flank, so a few highlight reels show him cutting in several times to get in a shot from his left foot.

Will Yarmolenko be a starter?

Once he is settled into the team, I think he will be for the time being. Yarmolenko has more of a killer goalscoring instinct than Schurrle that should place him ahead of the German on the depth chart. Maxi Philipp also isn’t quite ready to be a regular starter for the Black and Yellows.

Borussia Dortmund’s starting front three will most likely consist of Pulisic, Aubameyang, and Yarmolenko. Schurrle and Philipp will be Bosz’s go-to players for substitutes and squad rotation when Champions League and Pokal matches are scheduled on top of Bundesliga.

Final Consensus

Yarmolenko is an unusual older signing for Borussia Dortmund. At almost 28 years old, his experience both with club and country will be important for an incredibly young squad. Since his signing, a few videos have arisen showing his more violent side. The Ukrainian winger has been involved in some high-temper situations back in Kiev, and is certainly an intimidating figure.

In excess, that attitude can be dangerous. On the other hand, I don’t think the Black and Yellows have an enforcer of that caliber in the squad right now. Neven Subotic hardly sees game time, and Sokratis has taken more of a captain-like role. Yarmolenko will be the player other teams fear.

Expect one or two red cards from him. I expect him to score between 10 and 15 goals this season, and get at least 10 assists.

Ciro Immobile, Adnan Januzaj, and Emre Mor have all taken up the No. 9 since the great Lewandowski left. All of them left after underwhelming seasons. Let’s hope Yarmolenko will break that curse.