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Opinion: Evaluating Borussia Dortmund’s summer signings

By Abdullah Mamaniyat

Borussia Dortmund summer signings Felix Nmecha and Ramy Bensebaini. (Photo by Ralf Ibing - firo sportphoto/Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund summer signings Felix Nmecha and Ramy Bensebaini. (Photo by Ralf Ibing - firo sportphoto/Getty Images) /
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Felix Nmecha. (Photo by Ralf Ibing – firo sportphoto/Getty Images)
Felix Nmecha. (Photo by Ralf Ibing – firo sportphoto/Getty Images) /

Felix Nmecha: 5/10

Realistically, it was always going to take multiple players to fill the gaping hole that Jude Bellingham has left. The greatest consolation would have been to bring in two or three first-team ready players who could step in instantaneously.

At one point, that looked likely as Borussia Dortmund were heavily linked with the likes of Edson Álvarez, Enzo Le Fee, Daichi Kamada and Arda Güler. Instead, the club opted to sign controversial midfielder Felix Nmecha for a fee in the region of €30m.

Now, BVB find themselves in a situation where they are obliged to call Nmecha a direct Bellingham replacement. The 22 year old is a dynamic and versatile midfielder who leans on his speed and aerial strength to command his position on the pitch. Able to play as a number eight, he will be used primarily as a progressive midfielder.

As a long-term solution, Terzić will likely use him as the ‘second’ number eight next to Julian Brandt. He has competition in Marcel Sabitzer, who has been preferred as the starting midfielder in the first few games of the season. I would expect Nmecha to finish the season in Dortmund’s strongest line-up.

Nmecha has had a slow start with the Black and Yellows, but once the German player gains match fitness and an understanding of what Terziç demands from him, this will ideally reduce an area of the pitch that the opposition can exploit. Emre Can has found himself exposed on more than one occasion so far, therefore the young legs of Nmecha could add some balance to the midfield.

But taking into consideration the fee and other options that were available at a similar price, early signs suggest that Borussia Dortmund could have invested smarter.