Borussia Dortmund squad is now officially complete. Gregor Kobel and Julian Ryerson, the last two first team stars missing from training, have reported back to work today as the side is now at full strength.
Both players were given an extended rest for having made it to the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with their respective national teams. So they had also missed Dortmund's preseason campaign until now, including the Japan tour last week.
A key player for Dortmund last season, Kobel started in every game for Switzerland and was never substituted. It highlighted his importance in Murat Yakin's side, making vital saves throughout their campaign.
But having conceded in every single group stage fixture, the Swiss custodian registered two clean sheets against Algeria and Colombia in the knockout stages, while even making a vital save in the penalty shootout win over the latter.
Kobel came up trumps against Argentina too, even denying Lionel Messi once, but their superior attacking firepower eventually dumped La Nati out in extra-time after a 3-1 loss. But it did little to eclipse his heroic campaign.
As for Ryerson, Dortmund's assist king failed to rack up any at the tournament after registering 18 in all competitions for the BVB last season. So that was a real surprise. Moreover, former Dortmund ace Erling Haaland stole all the limelight with his blistering attacking exploits that led to seven goals, the most behind only Messi (8) and Kylian Mbappe (10).
Kobel and Ryerson's return couldn't have come sooner as Dortmund are to visit London for a promising clash with Premier League champions Arsenal this Sunday and Kovac could bring them straight into the XI just as the manager did with other World Cup returnees last week in the game to FC Tokyo.
So far, he had Alexander Meyer and Patrick Drewes in goal with the former taking his place between the sticks for the first three matches and Drewes finally coming in the fourth. But now, Kobel is expected to start against the Gunners at the Emirates.
Meanwhile, Ryerson could be reinstated in his preferred right wing-back position, pushing Maximilian Beier further up or perhaps starting the German from the bench. Kovac had spoken about playing Beier as the full-back on the right and experimented with it against Tokyo last weekend. But with Ryerson now coming back into the fold, the Norwegian is likely to take his spot on the XI.
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