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Winter Review: Borussia Dortmund’s best and worst performers of the season so far

By Reece Edwards

Borussia Dortmund duo Gregor Kobel and Jude Bellingham. (Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund duo Gregor Kobel and Jude Bellingham. (Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images) /
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Gregor Kobel
Gregor Kobel. (Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images) /

Gregor Kobel

Solid, aggressive, and clutch are worthy descriptions for Gregor Kobel this season. Kobel has made his presence felt with his ability to make acrobatic point-blank saves routinely. On numerous occasions, he has either kept Borussia Dortmund in a game in which they had no business being or proved to be a decisive factor to the detriment of the opposition.

Coupled with Mats Hummels’ revival at center-back, he’s proved to be the rock at the back that every club hopes their keeper will be. I mention Hummels because this is a key component of a successful defense. The ability to be reliable in terms of his distribution of the ball in a variety of scenarios and a source of leadership goes a long way.

Kobel’s development has caught the praise of those around the league and he is now firmly in the discussion surrounding the league’s best between the posts.

The 25-year-old is still quite young in relation to his position and his trajectory is only pointing towards further progression into the highest tier of goalkeepers in European football. A lot is required in order for a club to make a run in the Champions League knockout rounds. Elite shot-blocking is a crucial component of this equation.