The winter transfer period was relatively quiet at Borussia Dortmund. BVB director of professional players Sebastian Kehl believes the squad is well positioned for the rest of the second half of the season.
Even weeks ago, Sebastian Kehl announced that there would be minor transfer movements at best in January. On the one hand, because his own squad was judged to be good enough, and on the other, because the Corona situation continues to force the club to be frugal.
And so it came to pass: Only the talents Ansgar Knauff, who was loaned to Frankfurt until 2023 to gain playing experience at the highest level, and Tobias Raschl (to Fürth), who had played no role in coach Marco Rose’s team anyway, left the club. There were no new arrivals at all.
“We deliberately decided on these two departures,” Kehl said on Tuesday on the sidelines of BVB’s training session, where Erling Haaland (muscle injury) and Giovanni Reyna (cold), among others, were missing. “Both Ansgar and Tobias went through a great youth here at Borussia, they were figureheads in the youth sector. “
Knauff’s development is being closely monitored
Both, however, had approached those responsible with the desire to take the next step elsewhere. This met with approval – especially since Raschl’s contract would have expired in the summer anyway. Knauff, on the other hand, continues to play a role in the thoughts of the BVB bosses, even though he is now an Eintracht Frankfurt player for a year and a half. “We will closely monitor his development,” said Kehl.
Many injured return – Reyna’s rehab ends
With the remaining squad, BVB sees itself well positioned for the tasks that lie ahead in the remaining second half of the season. Especially because numerous players who missed large parts of the first half of the season with injuries are expected to be available again on a permanent basis. Youngster Reyna, for example, who had to take almost half a year off, but is now on the verge of returning after a targeted build-up over several weeks. “We have a lot more personnel at our disposal,” said Kehl, referring to the training ground, “I think we will achieve a different quality in the second half of the season. “
No transfers of expensive players – Bürki’s move to Lorient falls through
BVB would have been only too happy to transfer one or two more players who play only a minor role in sporting terms, or even no role at all, but who incur high costs. For example Nico Schulz or Reinier, who is still on loan from Real Madrid until the end of the season, but especially keeper Roman Bürki. BVB’s former number 1 is now only the third goalkeeper. But no deal was done until Monday evening, when the transfer window closed in much of Europe. “There were talks, there was interest, but then it didn’t come to another transfer,” Kehl said of Monday’s final spurt, when it briefly appeared Bürki could move to French relegation candidates Lorient.
On Sunday, BVB will be challenged in the top match against Bayer Leverkusen, third in the league, after two match-free weeks – and will be looking to further increase the gap to the bottom in the direct duel. “We want to win,” said Kehl, who is eight points ahead of Leverkusen and six points behind FC Bayern with Borussia, “and even if it wouldn’t be right to talk about a good chance of winning the championship now, we certainly won’t give away the season. We have to be prepared for all scenarios. Because we want to take every chance that comes our way. “