Player Profile: A closer look at Borussia Dortmund's rising star Kjell Wätjen
By Eli Brand
During Borussia Dortmund's game against FC Augsburg, fans and neutrals alike witnessed the professional debut of academy product Kjell Wätjen. A childhood BVB fan, Wätjen is already approaching a decade at the club despite being just 18. In his first professional appearance, he started in defensive midfield alongside fellow academy products Youssoufa Moukoko and Marco Reus.
In the academy, Wätjen has played every possible role across the middle of the park. Despite playing a more advanced role in prior seasons, this season he has settled into the eight or box-to-box role and has excelled. Despite his deeper role Watjen has had 10 goals and 9 assists in just 22 appearances this season for the u-19s. This has put Watjen at a goal or assist just over every 90 minutes.
After his training stint with the senior side this January, Wätjen took a noticeable step up in his u-19s performances. He has been on the bench for most matches in recent weeks and with midfield struggles in particular against RB Leipzig, has deserved his chance for some time.
In the game against Augsburg, Wätjen started the match as the deeper midfielder alongside Felix Nmecha. He showed an ability to play progressively, be disciplined defensively and had excellent decision making in the final third. For Wätjen to show these abilities at such a young age is quite impressive, with some of these skills typically peaking later for most players. because of this, it only makes sense to take a look at some of his numbers and characteristics more in depth: