Six bargain right-backs Borussia Dortmund should consider signing
By Eli Brand
It is quite evident that Borussia Dortmund need an upgrade at right-back this summer, and we take a look at six under the radar options that they should consider.
With Thomas Meunier free to leave, Nico Schulz a club outcast, Raphael Guerreiro a sore subject, Ansgar Knauff joining Frankfurt, Felix Passlack‘s contract having expired and Mateu Morey having not played for more than two years, the Black and Yellows undoubtedly need to bolster their full-back ranks.
Borussia Dortmund’s initial right-back target was Iván Fresneda, but it now looks like he will not be joining the club. While backing out of the Fresneda signing could be a temporary negotiation tactic, BVB should at least have a think about other options.
The six full-backs we explore here are all be under the age of 23 and primarily play on the right, as Borussia Dortmund have already signed Ramy Bensebaini to be their first-choice left-back for next season.
Elias Jelert
One player who could be a potential option is Elias Jelert, who featured for FC Copenhagen against Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League group stage last season. The 20 year old is adept at playing 1-2s and has shown an ability to time overlap runs well against low blocks, allowing him to get in behind. Jelert is a bit of an all-rounder but his best trait is his ball carrying ability.
The biggest issue with Jelert is his price, as Borussia Dortmund could end up paying a fee in the low eight-digit range for a player who may not quite be first-team ready. The upside, however, is certainly there as Jelert has the potential to be the long-term successor to Lukasz Piszczek that BVB have been desperately seeking for years now.