Three Borussia Dortmund youngsters who could be set for a breakout season
Borussia Dortmund are known for giving opportunities and playing time to talented young players, and three forwards could be primed for a breakthrough campaign this year.
The Black and Yellows have been slow in the transfer market and still look quite thin in depth, despite bringing Felix Nmecha from VfL Wolfsburg, Marcel Sabitzer from rivals Bayern Munich and Ramy Bensebaini on a free transfer.
Much of this has been down to finding suitable players that match both Edin Terzic’s physical profile and Sebastian Kehl’s footballing profile.
The frustration at the lack of incoming players could inadvertently give chances to young players poised for a breakout season this year. Here we take a look a three Borussia Dortmund players who could do exactly that.
Jamie Bynoe-Gittens
“I have worked with a lot of guys, and he is by far the most talented who I have worked with.” – Tom Joyce, strength & conditioning coach.
Jamie Bynoe-Gittens is ready for a breakout season. The young Englishman joined Borussia Dortmund in 2020, having previously been at Manchester City since the age of 15 – following in the footsteps of a young Jadon Sancho.
His initial breakthrough season with the U-19s in 2021/22 was hampered by a torn ligament, but he was able to introduce himself to the Bundesliga with four appearances. Last season, he was promoted to the first-team and made 15 Bundesliga appearances, contributing with three goals and one assist.
Bynoe-Gittens has been forced to undergo two shoulder surgeries over the last ten months, and has spent considerable time on the sidelines. But the good news is that the Englishman recently made his return to training, just in time for the start of the new season.
Strengths and weaknesses
Bynoe-Gittens is primarily a right footed left winger, which means that he is adept at playing in half spaces and has a knack of drifting in and out of both central and wide areas as an inside forward.
You will find that all three of his goals last season show some of his main strengths. His goal against Augsburg last season was a great example of using his dribbling skills to imbalance the defender, cut inside and hit a sweet finish.
The Freiburg goal did take a pinch of luck from a goalkeeper blunder, but the quick instinct to create magic out of nothing at 1-0 down was highly impressive. What was equally impressive was creating space and opportunity out of a tight spot.
Perhaps the most impressive goal of Bynoe-Gittens’ fledgling career came against Bremen, where he scored from a difficult angle with his weaker foot after creating the one-touch opportunity himself.
Most of his weaknesses in his play are down to his lack of experience at the age of 18. Decision making and physicality are not usually fully developed in players at this age and it is no different here. Additionally, wanting to break through into Edin Terzic’s side would require greater defensive discipline as a winger, including timely track backs and better positioning.