4 Borussia Dortmund players who stepped up a level in 2023/24

2. Donyell Malen

This is Donyell Malen's third season for Borussia Dortmund and with each season, he has shown steady but impressive progress. The Netherlands international is having his best domestic campaign since joining the Bundesliga club and has been one of the best players this season. 

So far, Malen has scored 11 Bundesliga goals and provided one assist. For context, he scored nine goals and provided five assists last time out. While his total goal contributions are down, he has demonstrated his improved goal-scoring instinct and he is on track to match or even beat his toal goal contribution tally from last season. 

He set a high bar to beat last season but this time out, he is showing every sign of maturity and playing at the peak of his powers. 

It's not just his tally which Malen should be judged on, as impressive as it is. Watching the Dutchman, it is easy to understand why he's a fan favourite. In many matches he plays, he is the best player on the pitch with notable performances coming against FC Koln, Freiburg and his former club PSV in the Champions League.

Continued on the next slide...