If you look at Borussia Dortmund’s current squad, two players in particular have been brought in to deal with the mentality problem that is so often cited: Emre Can (28) and Salih Özcan (24). Can came from Juventus Turin three years ago, Can from 1. FC Köln before this season.
Above all, Can – you have to state that after a long period of weakness – has so far failed to do a lot. Numerous sloppinesses in his game wash away the irrepressible commitment that the 37-time national player shows every time.
For his part, Özcan acts more consistently, but has not yet acted as a real leader. This role falls almost entirely to 19-year-old Jew Bellingham, who of course cannot pull the coals out of the fire on his own.
What happens after Bellingham?
In addition, it is very questionable whether Bellingham will stay with BVB beyond the season. The black and yellow are well advised to keep an eye out for reinforcements for the central midfield.
And it is striking that the candidates traded so far have one thing in common: they are considered mental players.
World champion Alexis Mac Alltsrer (24/Brighton & Hove Albion), Ellyes Skhiri (27/1. FC Köln) and Weston McKennie (24/Juventus Turin) have been associated with Dortmund in recent weeks. So far, the rumors have not been significantly substantiated, but it is already clear in which direction things should go on Strobelallee.
