Opinion: Right-backs Borussia Dortmund should consider signing this winter
Lutsharel Geertruida
A name many who follow Dortmund will be familiar with, Lutsharel Geertruida has been a player that was previously linked with the club, and for good reason. The Rotterdam-born right back has been one of Feyenoord’s standout performers over recent seasons, which has brought him into the spotlight for both Dortmund, and more recently RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich.
One of the first things that catches the eye about Geertruida is his ability to play multiple positions proficiently. While most of his time is spent playing at right back, Geertruida can also deputize as a center back and as a defensive midfielder, making him quite a useful player to have at one’s disposal.
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Geertruida is a physical presence when on the pitch, but he is far more proficient at what he does than simply being a bully on the pitch. The Dutch international’s ball control is exceptional, and his attacking and passing stats paint a picture of a player that would fit the mold of just what Dortmund head coach Edin Terzić would be looking for in a player. Geertruida finds himself in the 99th percentile for pass completion (91.4% pass success percentage), whilst contributing (on average) 8.01 progressive passes per game per 90 minutes. He also finds himself in the 90+ percentiles for progressive carries (2.45) and successful take ons (0.60) per 90 when compared to players in a similar position across Europes top 14 leagues.
All in all, Geertruida really looks like the complete package for a team like Dortmund, who could likely use Geertruida in all the positions he’s proficient at, with center back in particular also a position the team lacks depth in. The player’s current valuation of 35 million euros may be the main hindrance however, with this likely being well below Feyenoord’s valuation of the player in the current market. There was some talk over the summer that the player has a release clause not much higher than his current valuation (35 million euros) but it has gone unconfirmed. He would certainly be a player I would be happy to see Dortmund stretch their wallet for.