When the #SanShow is over: Who can Borussia Dortmund buy to eventually replace Jadon Sancho?
Adam Hložek
Another name heavily linked with a move to the Westfalenstadion over the last few months is Sparta Praha starlet Adam Hložek. At the young age of 17 years old, Hložek has become one of the Czech Republic’s rising talents in the modern game. A tall, versatile and crafty player, Hložek could easily be one of Borussia Dortmund’s next unearthed gems, should the youngster make the switch.
His ability to play both as a center forward and as a winger makes him a tempting option from the standpoint that Alcacer, Götze and Sancho all look likely to depart.
For a player with such a tall and strong frame, Hložek exhibits the traits of a silky smooth winger, able to befuddle players with his movement and quick feet. His footwork often leaves players out of position, opening the player up to either shoot or pass to one of his open teammates with precision.
Hložek currently has 3 goals and 7 assists in the Fortuna Liga for Praha, which exhibits a more than decent creative ability that would be useful should the likes of Sancho depart the club. Hložek would become part of a very talented youthful core that seems to be forming at Dortmund, and could play an immense role in the success of the club for years to come.
According to Czech Football’s Tomas Danicek, what strikes many a supporter as they watch Hložek ply his trade is his overall maturity for his age. The player is not phased even when playing against older, more experienced opposition, something that we quickly saw with Sancho’s development in Dortmund. Further, Danicek went on to indicate that Hložek’s 23 key passes put him in the top 10 league wide for this category, which highlights his mature decision making in the process.
This is another thing that we can see when we compare him to Sancho; for their age, both players have been decisive in their passing and decision making, which makes them such assets for their respective squads.
What makes the prospect of a transfer for Hložek so enticing is that this isn’t an “if or” scenario should Dortmund look to replace Sancho. Hložek could be bought alongside another more well established winger, like Rashica, and could end up finding minutes in multiple positions. The transfer also becomes even more desirable and feasible when one thinks about the connection Dortmund have in the Czech Republic.
Former Dortmund man Tomáš Rosický is Sparta Praha’s Sporting Director, and may be able to put in a good word for the club should they indeed come calling for Hložek in the near future.