Borussia Dortmund face uncertainty over Mats Hummels injury

Mats Hummels is set to link up with his Borussia Dortmund teammates in Bad Ragaz on Wednesday. But his patellar tendon injury looks set to force him to miss the start of the season. 

It was reported earlier this month that Mats Hummels is still struggling with the patellar tendon issue that affected him during the European Championships. And uncertainty still remains regarding his injury status as heads off to Bad Ragaz to start preparing for the new season.

According to Ruhr Nachrichten, Hummels is not expected to train with the ball in Switzerland. This all but rules him out of Borussia Dortmund’s DFB-Pokal first round clash against SV Wehen Wiesbaden next weekend. Even if he manages to start training with the team next week, playing him in the Bundesliga opener against Eintracht Frankfurt in two weeks’ time would be a big risk.

While an operation is not being considered and the injury will be treated conservatively, it remains to be seen how much rest Hummels needs in order to completely recover from his injury.

With Dan-Axel Zagadou, Soumaila Coulibaly and Nnamdi Collins also injured, Manuel Akanji and Emre Can will likely start the season as Borussia Dortmund’s first-choice centre-backs. However, like Hummels, the duo will also only just return from their post-Euro 2020 breaks this week. So they will need some time to get back to match fitness.

BVB II defenders Antonios Papadopoulos and Lennard Maloney have been used as the two centre-backs in the three pre-season games so far. And they could well have a role to play in Wiesbaden next weekend.

Reports in Italy claim that Borussia Dortmund are interested in signing Juventus centre-back Merih Demiral. But a move for him would be impossible unless Juventus agree to an initial loan deal. Ruhr Nachrichten add that if Hummels is ruled out for a longer period, BVB will probably have to act and sign a new centre-back this summer.