The Forgotten Frontman: Can Borussia Dortmund’s Alexander Isak still make it in the Bundesliga?

Does Isak have a future with Borussia Dortmund?

A question that should be answered quite promptly at the conclusion of Isak’s loan will be whether or not the young Swede will be able to find his way into Borussia Dortmund’s starting 11 in the near future, or if at all. Dortmund can do one of a few things, so let’s take a look at the options and the probability that each has of coming to fruition.

Isak gets a chance to earn a spot in the first team

Anyone who’s seen our games this season knows that we are in need of a second striker. While the permanent signing of Paco Alcacer is fantastic, the fact that we have one quality striker does not mean that we don’t need another, and there are a couple reasons for this.

The first of these is that Alcacer, while showing that he can be prolific, has also shown that he can be fragile. The Spanish forward has already picked up several injuries this season, which has highlighted our lack of depth in this position. Whenever Paco has been out, Dortmund have had trouble filling the void up top that his absence creates. Mario Götze has tried admirably under Lucien Favre to fill that void at times, but Götze is much more valuable in our midfield than he is as a striker. Maximilian Philipp has also unfortunately failed to produce performances that indicate he’s capable of playing as a number 9 for Dortmund, and it is my personal opinion that Philipp belongs on the wing, a position where he found much more joy in last season.

The second reason Dortmund have a need for a second striker is a tactical one. In Paco Alcacer, Dortmund have a striker that is good with the ball at his feet, one that links well with his teammates when the passing is smooth and silky. But what happens when a game gets gritty, teams sit back and there’s a need for crosses and balls over the top? Alcacer, in these games, becomes much less of an effective option.

We’ve seen on many occasions that at times, Borussia Dortmund have lacked an aerial threat up front, someone who could produce the goods against teams that play very deep, not allowing for intricate passes to make their way into the box. Both Alcacer’s style of play and slighter frame make him ineffective in these games, and this is where a tall, strong striker like Isak perhaps could come in handy. If Isak is able to keep the momentum going for the rest of his loan spell and then produce similar performances in pre season for Dortmund, then perhaps Lucien Favre could keep the Swede and see how he performs.

For a team that is renowned across the globe for giving youth a chance and helping players develop immensely, perhaps taking one more stab at developing Isak could pay off.

There are financial benefits to giving Isak the opportunity to prove himself to consider as well. Dortmund are in the middle of a squad revamp, one that Michael Zorc and Hans-Joachim Watzke said would take two years to complete, and there is already a shopping list of players circling that indicates Dortmund mean business. Names such as Thorgan Hazard, Julian Brandt and Callum Hudson Odoi have been linked, each of which will have a substantial price tag. If Dortmund can save some money by keeping Isak as their second striker instead of going for another player not already on the books, it will allow Dortmund to add to other areas that need addressing.

Isak goes out on loan, again

Sending Isak abroad for another stint outside of the Bundesliga may not be a bad option for Dortmund. While the player has impressed, the club may take the view that he still needs some more experience before being considered as an option for the first team.

This time, however, a potential loan to a Bundesliga side might be the right move for Dortmund. It would allow Isak to get the minutes he needs, get accustomed to the league, and perhaps allow Dortmund to get a better idea of how he might perform at that level without having him sit as second or third choice. In the event that he does well, Dortmund wait for the loan deal to finish and start the integration process, and if they don’t like what they see, they can sell him on with the next opportunity.

Isak is sold once the transfer window opens

The outright sale of Isak is the last of the choices Dortmund can make regarding the player, and just like with the other two choices, there’s an argument to be made as to why this would make sense for Die Schwarzgelben. In the event that Lucien Favre, for example, does not see Isak as part of his Dortmund revamp moving forward, the sale would help increase the funds with which Favre could bring a player that suits his, and the team’s needs. Just as keeping Isak could alleviate the need to spend in the striker area, the profits from his sale can go towards adding proper personnel. Dortmund could never get a better chance, considering Isak is in good form now and either Willem II or another side may have need of a player of Isak’s quality.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to whether or not Isak remains at Dortmund, the most important thing to consider, in my eyes, is if he fits Lucien Favre’s vision moving forward. While Isak may be performing well in the system he currently plays in, that does not mean he will have the total skill set to adapt to Favre’s system. The only way to truly gauge this, however, is to give him a stint to prove himself over the summer break, and in the season to come.

While a very large part of me would like to see an exciting signing in the striker position this summer, we did just buy Alcacer, who will not be keen to be overshadowed once again as he was in Barcelona. Isak, if his form holds and transfers over, can be a good impact player in situations where Alcacer is less effective, and if rumors surrounding our other potential signings are true, there will not be a lack of service to either striker up top, so goals should not be a worry for the Dortmund faithful.

Borussia Dortmund are a team that gives youth a chance, and I feel that if we give Isak the time and faith he needs, he may just repay us in a very big way.