A look into Emre Can's struggles at Borussia Dortmund

Conclusion

Since being handed the Borussia Dortmund captaincy, Can has not been able to find the stability in his game that those in charge would have wanted from a starting defensive midfielder.

Can has failed to reach the heights of the last six months of 2022-23 campaign when Dortmund almost won the Bundesliga. Their run to the Champions League final last season also was largely due to improved performances from the likes of Marcel Sabitzer, Mats Hummels, and the overall back four. Since he is an experienced player of unquestionably good caliber, he has to step up, recognise his shortcomings and lead from the front when it matters most, rather than succumbing to the pressure in crucial situations.

That being said, to an extent, Nuri Sahin and his team also need to take responsibility and make some tactical adjustments. Can's best game is when he plays a defensive midfielder or as an anchor right in front of the defence, and he is certainly not someone who can build play out from the base of the midfield.

Partnering him with two number eights like Edin Terzic did in the second half of the 2022/23 season could be a potential way to get the best out of him. Groß/Sabitzer or Sabitzer/Nmecha can be tasked as advanced playmakers right in front of him. Thus, even if the opposition is able to bypass the midfield, Can's presence as an anchor might ease up the building tensions.

But in a role where players need to be quick with their decision making and smooth on the ball, Can's technical deficiencies have made him and Borussia Dortmund vulnerable to the ever-improving opposition press. And unless he can improve that aspect of his game and offer the team more control in midfield, he could find himself on the bench more often than not in the coming months.