Sebastian Kehl has backed the players returning from injuries to make an impact after Borussia Dortmund’s quiet January transfer window.
Borussia Dortmund decided not to bolster their squad in the recently concluded January transfer window, with the club’s only signing being that of 16 year old Italian defender Filippo Calixte Mane who will initially play for the U-19s team. Sebastian Kehl was asked about the Black and Yellows’ lack of transfer activity on Tuesday, and gave two reasons.
The Borussia Dortmund head of licensed players department and future sporting director said that they feel that the players returning from long-term injuries will give the team more quality in the second half of the season. Kehl added that the financial losses being caused by the Covid-19 pandemic also played a part in the club’s decision to not make too many moves in the January transfer window.
"“To be honest, our efforts were very minimal because we believe that we now have significantly more personnel available to us because players with long-term injuries are now coming back. I think that will give us a different quality in the second half of the season.”“But at the same time, it’s not like the coffers are full right now. We are only allowed to play in front of a very small number of fans. That doesn’t make it easy for us when it comes to planning. If necessary, we will also have to be creative over the summer.”"
Borussia Dortmund did let two players leave last month, with Ansgar Knauff joining Eintracht Frankfurt on an 18-month loan deal and Tobias Raschl moving to Greuther Fürth on a permanent transfer. Kehl said that the duo approached the club with their wish to earn more playing time, and added that they will continue to closely follow the development of Knauff in particular.
With the January transfer window now over, attentions turn back to the Bundesliga. Borussia Dortmund have a tough home game coming up this weekend, as they take on third placed Bayer Leverkusen. Marco Rose’s side are currently second in the Bundesliga standings, six points behind league leaders Bayern Munich.