Borussia Dortmund: Best XI of the post Jürgen Klopp era

By Tushar Bahl | Apr 7, 2020

BERLIN, GERMANY - MARCH 16: Marco Reus of Borussia Dortmund celebrates with Jadon Malik Sancho of Borussia Dortmund during the Bundesliga match between Hertha BSC and Borussia Dortmund at Olympiastadion on March 16, 2019 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /

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LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 08: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Mats Hummels of Borussia Dortmund celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund at BayArena on February 8, 2020 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by DeFodi Images via Getty Images) /

Centre Backs: Mats Hummels, Sokratis

Mats Hummels left for Bayern Munich one year after Klopp’s departure, before making a spectacular return last summer. But such has been the level of Borussia Dortmund’s defending over the last five years, that he is the first centre back on this list.

Hummels has picked up right where he left off in 2016, showing great leadership and reliable defending to save his side on a number of occasions. While Borussia Dortmund’s overall defending has still been lackluster, Hummels has been one of the team’s standout performers this season.

Sokratis just edges out Dan Axel Zagadou as the second centre back. The Greek international, now at Arsenal, had a poor end to his time at Borussia Dortmund. But he was at times one of the league’s best defenders before then. He enjoyed two impressive campaigns under Thomas Tuchel’s charge, showing great leadership, physicality, aggression and ball playing ability.

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