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Borussia Dortmund squad depth analysis: Defenders and Goalkeepers

By Luke Hinkle

FREIBURG IM BREISGAU, GERMANY - AUGUST 12: Players of Borussia Dortmund celebrate in front of their fans after the final whistle of the Bundesliga match between Sport-Club Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund at Europa-Park Stadion on August 12, 2022 in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
FREIBURG IM BREISGAU, GERMANY - AUGUST 12: Players of Borussia Dortmund celebrate in front of their fans after the final whistle of the Bundesliga match between Sport-Club Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund at Europa-Park Stadion on August 12, 2022 in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images) /
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Nico Schlotterbeck
Nico Schlotterbeck. (Photo by Marcel ter Bals/Orange Pictures/BSR Agency/Getty Images) /

Niklas Süle

Niklas Süle was Borussia Dortmund’s first announced signing for the summer transfer window. The former Bayern defender’s contract was set to expire in June, and he agreed to a four-year deal with the Black and Yellows. Along with Nico Schlotterbeck, the two will look to usher in a new era in defense for a team that has struggled to keep the opposing team at bay for years now.

Süle spent five seasons with Bayern Munich, making 171 appearances primarily at center-back and occasionally at right-back.  He helped the German giants win 14 trophies, including the UEFA Champions League once, the DFB-Pokal twice, and the Bundesliga five times. His decision to leave Bayern and join BVB had a great deal to do with him feeling appreciated at the Signal Iduna Park.

Süle’s debut in the Bundesliga was a bit delayed, however, due to a knock he picked up in the team’s first competitive match in the DFB-Pokal. His absence led to Terzic relying on Hummels and Schlotterbeck as the first-choice center-backs. As he continues to regain his fitness, Süle will more than likely establish himself as a regular starter. His steady and physical presence along with his wealth of experience in the Bundesliga will be some of the many valuable assets that he brings to the team this season.

Nico Schlotterbeck

Nico Schlotterbeck came over to Borussia Dortmund after firmly establishing himself last season as one of the best defenders in Germany. His five year contract means that Dortmund have guaranteed some stability at the back line that they seemed to have been missing in recent years.

Even at only 22 years old, it has been widely apparent why Schlotterbeck is rated so highly. The German defender brings a level of intensity and energy to the pitch that is contagious. One look at him fist-pumping the air after a spectacular slide tackle, ramping the crowd to fever-pitch, is all it takes to see just how influential he can be for the Black and Yellows.

Schlotterbeck may turn out to be one of most important transfers that BVB made this summer.  His was a crucial signing that should help solidify one of the last weak points in the team and help propel Dortmund to finally unseating Bayern Munich as champions of the Bundesliga.

Mats Hummels

Mats Hummels is now entering the fourth season of his second stint with Borussia Dortmund.  The former captain has now made well over 400 competitive appearances for the Black and Yellows, placing him third all time behind club legends Michael Zorc and Roman Weidenfeller.

This season for Hummels is going to be a bit of a shift compared to recent years. Now 33, it looks like he is set to make way for the two new signings of Süle and Schlotterbeck. I don’t expect, however, for Hummels to entirely lose his spot. Having him available to come off the bench and even start in certain matches will be invaluable to Borussia Dortmund due to his wealth of experience and skillset. Already, he has shown this season that he is a more than capable starting center-back.

Entering into the final year of his current contract, expect Hummels to come out swinging to try and fight for a contract extension.

Soumaïla Coulibaly

Along with Abdoulaye Kamara, Coulibaly was one of two players that Borussia Dortmund signed on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain last summer. The 18 year old defender has yet to feature for the first-team in any competitive matches and spent last season with the U-23s squad in the 3. Liga.

He will serve as additional depth at center-back throughout the season. Don’t rule out some occasional appearances for the first-team, with BVB facing such a condensed fixture list this season.