The summer transfer window brought numerous changes for Borussia Dortmund, and the new reinforcements were supposed to bring freshness and quality to the club’s ranks. Lars Ricken, the sports director, was satisfied with what was done during the preparations in Bad Ragaz, Switzerland, emphasizing that Borussia achieved all the key goals in the market.
However, the positive mood that accompanied the arrival of new players soon subsided due to the inglorious start to the new season and early elimination from the DFB-Pokal. Now, a little more than three months later, the euphoria surrounding the new faces has given way to more realistic assessments.
The pros and cons of the new reinforcements
Borussia Dortmund currently ranks tenth in the overall ranking of transfer investments by German clubs, with a solid average rating of 6 out of 10. Although this is not bad, the result is not satisfactory considering the invested funds, which amounted to around 80 million euros. Despite expectations, most of the reinforcements failed to justify their price.
Serhou Guirassy – the first name among the reinforcements
The biggest hit among this year’s transfers is definitely the arrival of Serhou Guirassy from Stuttgart. Although his arrival was questionable due to a knee injury, he showed on the field how much he can contribute to the team. With nine goals and four assists in the first 13 games, Guirassy became a key player for Borussia. With him, Borussia opens the opponent’s defense much easier because his attacking potential is crucial, which was evident when he was injured, the team struggled to get more concrete opportunities to score.
Mixed results from other new players
Former Brighton & Hove Albion player Pascal Groß has also started the season well, impressing in the DFB-Pokal against Phönix Lübeck and in the first few rounds of the Bundesliga. However, he soon weakened physically, and although his form is gradually returning, he was forced to change positions and adapt to the demands of the team in the absence of players.
Maximilian Beier, a new signing with potential, started the season awkwardly and needed time to adapt. However, his goal against RB Leipzig gave him confidence, and it was Beier who assisted Guirassy for the winning goal.
On the other hand, Waldemar Anton, the former captain of Stuttgart, is still looking for form and confidence. After a series of solid games, he began to falter, and the injury further slowed him down. The situation is similar with Yan Cout, whose physical disabilities led to a limited number of performances.
The question of staff width and unfulfilled expectations
Injury problems and squad size have become a concern for BVB. The frequent need for players from the U-19 and U-23 teams indicates a lack of options in the first team, which was also felt in the early stages of the season.
Changes in leadership on the pitch, following the departures of veterans such as Mats Hummels and Marco Reus, are still ongoing, while former players such as Jadon Sancho and Youssouf Moukok have continued their careers at other clubs. While, given the injuries and unpredictability of the season, some of these players would be useful, the club’s management was left without several key names needed for a stable season.
Perspectives and challenges
Borussia Dortmund faces challenges both on the field and in putting together a stable staff. Although investments in reinforcements have not fully met expectations, there is still time to correct and return to form. The club continues to develop a long-term strategy with an emphasis on young players and continuity in the league, but the question remains how quickly this team will manage to stabilize results and avoid major problems until the end of the season.
