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Maxence Caqueret: A possible answer to Borussia Dortmund’s midfield rebuild

By Brian Szlenk Straub

Lyon's French midfielder Maxence Caqueret (C) fights for the ball with Monaco's Russian midfielder Aleksandr Golovin (L) and Monaco's French midfielder Maghnes Akliouche (R) during the French L1 football match between Olympique Lyonnais (OL) and AS Monaco at The Groupama Stadium in Decines-Charpieu, central-eastern France on May 19, 2023. (Photo by JEAN-PHILIPPE KSIAZEK / AFP) (Photo by JEAN-PHILIPPE KSIAZEK/AFP via Getty Images)
Lyon's French midfielder Maxence Caqueret (C) fights for the ball with Monaco's Russian midfielder Aleksandr Golovin (L) and Monaco's French midfielder Maghnes Akliouche (R) during the French L1 football match between Olympique Lyonnais (OL) and AS Monaco at The Groupama Stadium in Decines-Charpieu, central-eastern France on May 19, 2023. (Photo by JEAN-PHILIPPE KSIAZEK / AFP) (Photo by JEAN-PHILIPPE KSIAZEK/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Borussia Dortmund continue to look for midfield reinforcements this transfer window, and Maxence Caqueret could be a possible answer for the club.

As Borussia Dortmund continue their midfield reconstruction, the search for additional midfielders will likely pick up pace. The signing of Felix Nmecha was announced this week, but Nmecha alone is nowhere near enough for Dortmund at the center of the park should they truly wish to bolster their squad and make a push for silverware next season.

To this end, Dortmund will have to look for talented players that can help alleviate the partial loss of their creative spine. Jude Bellingham is and will continue to be an immense loss for the club, but with proper planning the club can mitigate the effect his departure has long term.

While there are many midfielders the club can look at moving forward, there is a particular player that many have had their eyes on for some time now that could fit the bill perfectly. That player is Maxence Caqueret.

A product of the Lyon academy, Caqueret is one of the many riches that the French team’s academy has produced, and one of the finest players in his position. While he is often considered a defensive midfielder, Caqueret displays the attributes of a player that can fill a box to box role quite effectively. This season in particular, he has excelled both as a creative outlet and a defensive  stalwart for Lyon.

Taking a look at the numbers, Caqueret has 4 goals and 7 assists across 36 appearances. He finds himself in the 95th percentile of players in terms of assists (0.23 per 90) across Europes top 5 leagues over the course of this past year. His successful take ons are also nothing to scoff at, with the Frenchman registering 1.33 per 90. To underline his goal and assist tally for the season, we can also highlight his 3.71 progressive passes received as a good metric to show just how often the player finds himself in an offense-oriented position for his side.

On the flip side, Caqueret is also solid defensively, with the player putting in 2.83 tackles, 1.27 interceptions and 1.46 blocks per 90. His pressing game is also quite exemplary, which is something that Dortmund will miss now that Bellingham has left for Real Madrid. The ability to pressure, harass and retain possession of the ball should it be lost would fall to Caqueret, and his ability to move the ball forward and be a persistent creative threat would make him a good addition to help lead this aspect of Dortmund’s game into a new era.

In addition to his defensive and pressing abilities, Caqueret could likely play a more box to box role for Dortmund due to his propensity to run tirelessly. His work ethic would make him an extremely sound addition to Dortmund’s midfield. His addition would help to replace the energy that Bellingham showed when on the pitch for the club. Couple this with the Frenchman’s composure on the ball, and you have all the qualities needed in an elegant yet robust midfielder.

Of course, one of the main factors for Dortmund will always be the price point at which they are able to obtain the services of a player. Currently valued at 25 million euros, you can expect to see Lyon’s asking price to be significantly higher with the market as it is. Both Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspur have allegedly shown interest in the player, which means that Dortmund will likely have to compete with what Spurs are able to offer the player as well.

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As with other players the club havre been linked with, Dortmund can certainly compete for their signature if they are able to present an enticing project and ensure that a player like Caqueret would be one of the fulcrums of said project. The talent that Caqueret has consistently shown at Lyon would warrant the club providing assurances about his role. Even if the sum were to warrant a possible record fee for the club (within reason), it would be a worthy sum to spend on a player who could go a long way towards helping Dortmund’s midfield renaissance really take flight and become a force to be reckoned with in the Bundesliga and European competition.