5 3/4 new signings minus Nuri Sahin

Before the new season starts we first have to talk about Dortmund's new players and how they will deal with the loss of Nuri Sahin. Jürgen Klopp said "Our squad is stronger than last years." A statement.
Dortmund had several reasons to sign new players:

a) Nuri Sahin transferred to Real Madrid
b) More depth for Champions League Season
c) Dede's departure
d) Keep the pressure and tension high within the squad

So here are the new boys:

Ivan Perisic

Ivan Perisic is Dortmund's top transfer. The midfielder came for 5,5 million € and has many
attributes. He will be a constant goal threat, since he scored 22 goals in Belgium for Club Brügge.
Ivan is left and right footed, has a strong header, is quick but also strong and a very clinical finisher. Jürgen Klopp loves variable players and here comes one of the main reasons why he was hired: He can play on every position in offensive midfield, but also on Nuri Sahin's position (8) and of course he can play as a striker because his behavior in the box is just as a striker behaves. His position has still to be figured out but Kevin Großkreutz should be wide awake, since Perisic played as LOM last season at Brügge.
Tactical tools for Klopp: Ivan is not only quick and a good dribbler but also makes a physical appearance. So if he plays alongside with Kagawa and Götze his job will certainly be holding the ball (as Lucas Barrios often does), make runs into the area to head the ball in and last but not least to help in defense/support Marcel Schmelzer/Lucas Pisczeck as LOM/ROM or even Sven Bender as DM. Since it's still uncertain who will be in charge of free kicks, he is definitely one of the candidates!
I personally hope that he is a bit more clinical than Robert Lewandowski and our chance/conversion rate will improve with him.

Ilkay Gündogan

22 Years old, comes from 1. FC Nürnberg, defensive/offensive midfielder, first candidate to "replace" Nuri Sahin. His stronger foot is the right foot. His qualities are winning the ball, opening the game, overview, control of the ball and is also capable of scoring goals. Playing on position 8. (the more offensive defensive midfielder of the double-six) will be a heavy burden for him since he has to fill a gap that Nuri Sahin left. (Which of course isn't what we expect of him since we all know that Nuri Sahin is a footballer of world class format). Ilkay has to grow in his role and he has the potential to do so. I'm looking forward to him and since it's not too hard to integrate into our team I predict he will have a great first year in Dortmund... and hopefully many more!

Moritz Leitner

18 years old - Investment for the future. Dortmund actually bought him in winter from 1860 München for 1 million €, was on loan for the rest of the season at promoted Augsburg. Now he will be in the Dortmund squad. He is a really gifted player, talented, but still raw. His position in München was the creative/offensive part in defenive midfield (Sahin role), because he has got great vision and overview, is of course right and left footed and of course he can score goals! He has a solid shot from distance.
He can also play in the offensive midfield... but not that we would need another offensive midfielder (Kagawa, Götze, Großkreutz, Kuba, Perisic), however the kid has still much to learn, even though he was one of the characters in Augsburg until he broke his arm, he is, of course, still lacking experience and needs to gain some muscles since he is falling a bit too easily. Never the less Dortmund can look forward, because watching Moritz play is always joyful and entertaining. Also he is in best hands for his further development.


Julian Koch

Julian Koch is a player I'm really looking forward to,  even though he is injured and will come back in the 2nd half of the season. He was on loan at 2. Bundeliga club MSV Duisburg for one year, where he really blossomed.
His usual position is right back, but he also successfully played central midfielder and play maker in Duisburg, who reached the DFB Cup final, where Julian Koch scored important goals and was mostly responsible for the success in the cup. He was vice captain which is only one indicator that he has a strong character. Besides the mental strength his tackling ability, also his agility and speed, his good understanding of the game, positioning and opening of the game are a skill set that could make Julian Koch to one of the future stars in German football. Ops, I forgot that he is also great in setting up chances or scoring himself (mostly by head). He will definitely vitalize our game and will make his appearances in the next season and leave impressions, I promise.

Chris Löwe

22 years old, was signed as a left-back backup from 3rd tier side Chemnitz FC. The ambitious left foot, who is Dede's replacement, is also capable of playing offensive, so just as Marcel Schmelzer, will run up and down the left side when Marcel is injured/suspended.








Marvin Bakalorz

Marvin Bakerlorz (21) is coming from Dortmund's u23 and is a central midfielder. I really can't say much about him, since I've never seen him play before. But his promotion for the first team should be proof enough that he is capable of playing football.