The second representation of Borussia Dortmund is in the 3rd league just before the relegation zone, the outstanding U19 has been fighting for years with 1. FC Köln and FC Schalke 04 for the lead in the A-Junior Bundesliga and has the U17 of BVB as third in the west relay, there is little chance of participating in the final round of the German championship. Borussia’s youth boss Lars Ricken is nevertheless extremely confident about the future.
His review of the year 2022 is “extremely positive”, said BVB youth boss Ricken in an interview with “Ruhr news“. In addition to some sporting successes, Youssoufa Moukoko, Tom Rothe and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens have managed to establish three U19 players with the professionals. Bradley Fink, a youngster, has also switched to FC Basel, where he is currently gaining experience on the international stage can collect.
The fact that some youngsters are already recommended for larger tasks and that they also have to compensate for some injury-related absences also explains why the 2022/23 season has not been quite as successful for the BVB substructure as in previous years.
Nevertheless, Ricken is confident that the next potential reinforcements for the Bundesliga team are already in the starting blocks. The Dortmund veteran has high hopes in one youngster in particular: Nnamdi Collins.
The 18-year-old is “the outstanding central defender in Germany in his age group. He is physically so far that he should compete in men’s football from the new year,” said Ricken. Specifically, the U19 captain should strengthen BVB II.
These are BVB’s greatest talents
If Collins makes a good impression, he could soon follow the path of Jamie Bynoe-Gittens. The 18-year-old Englishman made the leap to the pros at the start of the season and was on the pitch regularly before an injury slowed him down. However, Ricken certifies that the offensive player has “extraordinary” talent. “He’s a candidate for the first eleven,” Ricken said.
Ricken also expects great things from left-back Tom Rothe, who is also currently injured.
Even apart from the players who have already mastered their first steps with the professionals, Ricken sees enormous potential in the ranks of BVB. In Collins, Filippo Mané, Elias Benkara, Luke Rahmann and Tyler Meiser we have five talented central defenders and we are extremely well positioned there for the next few years. In Paris Brunner, Kjell Wätjen, Almugera Kabar and Charles Herrmann we have many other exciting players . Real quality comes after us”, Ricken dreams of a glorious future.