Three key issues Borussia Dortmund must address to challenge for the Bundesliga title next season

Finding a suitable replacement for Jude Bellingham

As has been the case for the last three summers, Borussia Dortmund have been forced to sell a key player to one of Europe’s super clubs. This time it is Jude Bellingham who has made the switch Real Madrid. Despite his young age, Bellingham was a key player for BVB and showed maturity well beyond his years. The England international put on some scintillating performances for the Black and Yellows, and his departure leaves a gaping hole in the middle of the park.

Replacing a player like Bellingham will not be an easy task. BVB will not only miss his overall contribution on the pitch, but also his passion and personality. Wolfsburg’s Felix Nmecha is said to be the club’s choice to come in as the like-for-like replacement for Bellingham. If the proposed move goes through, he will face the mammoth assignment of trying to match or better his predecessor’s contributions.

BVB have also been linked with a move for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, even if there are question marks over their ability to afford his signature. Gallagher had a difficult time in a struggling Chelsea side in the recently concluded season, but his stint at Crystal Palace showed that he has the quality to lead from the front in midfield.

Midfield is definitely an area Borussia Dortmund must bolster if they want to take the fight to Bayern Munich. It will certainly not be easy to replace a player of Bellingham’s quality but the track record of Sebastian Kehl suggests that he has a good eye for finding the right players.