Borussia Dortmund’s managing director, Lars Ricken, has quelled speculation about bolstering the squad’s defensive midfield, declaring in an exclusive Ruhr Nachrichten interview on Saturday, “We don’t need to discuss a ‘holding six.’”
This stance, expressed amidst the closing stages of the FIFA Club World Cup, underscores Ricken’s confidence in Dortmund’s existing midfield core, signaling a strategic pivot toward internal solutions over new signings.
Dortmund has often lacked that elite possession-retaining presence over the last few seasons. Yet, Ricken’s assertion suggests Dortmund’s roster, fortified by recent financial gains, needs no further reinforcement in this role. Felix Nmecha, a versatile midfielder signed in 2023, stands at the heart of this belief.
Despite not joining as a traditional “six,” Nmecha’s adaptability has convinced Ricken of his potential to shield the backline alongside veterans like Pascal Groß. The validity of this claim is far from universal alignment among supporters. While Nmecha has the technical ability to perform in many areas, there are not many games in which he has played the role of a deep lying orchestrator in a manner that allows for sustained control over a match.
Dortmund’s financial landscape bolsters this approach. The £52 million windfall from a Jamie Gittens' departure, potentially rising to £55 million, has hypothetically granted Niko Kovač flexibility to be more selective without urgent additions. Ricken’s trust in players like Nmecha and Groß reflects a broader vision: this team must evolve and progress from within without an overhaul.
The decision is significant. Dortmund’s midfield, often plagued in tandem with its backline by high-pressing domestic and international opposition, has fallen short of its rivals when aiming to dictate the flow of play against weaker sides. The decision to pursue a long-term future with Niko Kovač reinforces the concept that BVB doesn't deem itself capable of controlling games to the extent of Europe's elite.
Supporters, eager for fresh faces, may ridicule the gamble of forgoing a new “six.” Yet, Ricken’s steadfast belief in his squad and the overall sporting project has remained consistent. The danger lies in crafting the foundations of the future on the basis of recent form alone. The aforementioned trust from Ricken is to be most heavily tested when the eventual poor run of form arrives.