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Borussia Dortmund squad depth for 2022/2023: Forwards

By Luke Hinkle

Dortmund's French forward Anthony Modeste (L) celebrates scoring the opening goal with his teammate Dortmund's German forward Marco Reus during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Hertha Berlin and Borussia Dortmund in Berlin on August 27, 2022. - DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by Ronny HARTMANN / AFP) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by RONNY HARTMANN/AFP via Getty Images)
Dortmund's French forward Anthony Modeste (L) celebrates scoring the opening goal with his teammate Dortmund's German forward Marco Reus during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Hertha Berlin and Borussia Dortmund in Berlin on August 27, 2022. - DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by Ronny HARTMANN / AFP) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by RONNY HARTMANN/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Jamie Bynoe-Gittens
Jamie Bynoe-Gittens. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images) /

Sleepers and Potential Big Performers

Although one might say that Borussia Dortmund made the most changes in defense throughout this summer transfer window, the team actually did a great job of securing fresh faces in attack as well as shoring up some obvious holes in the front line.  The additions of two true number nine strikers in Sébastien Haller and Anthony Modeste were great additions by the club, even if Haller will more than likely be out for the entire season.  Securing the transfer of Karim Adeyemi to play on the right wing was also superb business by the BVB bosses.

My choice for crucial big performer, however, is going to go to a player that was actually brought in last summer: Donyell Malen.  After having a rather unconvincing first year with Dortmund in which he often looked outmatched and overwhelmed in the Bundesliga, I’m betting on Malen to really step into his own this season.

Malen has already shown glimpses of a lot of improvement from last season, and I think he will finally return to the scintillating form he enjoyed at PSV Eindhoven.  I’m not sure if he will lead the team in goals scored or assists served up, but his impact on the left-hand side of the attack will be irreplaceable.  His incredible pace with the ball at his feet will help open up defenses and should lead to more space in the box for other goal-scoring threats like Reus, Modeste, and Moukoko.

This position group’s “sleeper” candidate might not necessarily be an under-the-radar player at all as I’m choosing Jamie Bynoe-Gittens for this honor. After making his debut for Borussia Dortmund at the end of last season, the footballing world has been put on notice regarding the young Englishman.  Being hailed as the next English superstar and receiving comparisons to Jadon Sancho is pretty much the exact opposite of someone being a “sleeper.”

Regardless, I think that Bynoe-Gittens will surprise fans and onlookers with how much he can contribute to the team at such a young age.  Still only eighteen-years old, JBG already possesses the skillset and the mentality to come on to the pitch and change the flow and course of a game.  People are expecting big things from Bynoe-Gittens, but I think that he will completely blow these expectations out of the water.

Next. Borussia Dortmund squad depth analysis: Midfielders. dark

What are your thoughts on this years group of attackers?  Are there any that you think will end up outperforming their potential or projections?  Or how about any players that you think have flown under the radar and will end up playing a big part in the team’s success?  Leave a comment below with your take.