BVB has significantly strengthened itself on the transfer market this summer. After the black and yellow training camp in Bad Ragaz, sports director Sebastian Kehl explained in an interview with the club’s own media why Dortmund chose these players of all things.
With Niklas Süle, Nico Schlotterbeck, Salih Özcan, Karim Adeyemi and Sébastien Haller, Dortmund have brought in five players in recent weeks who are considered candidates for the starting XI.
What is behind the mind games? Why did BVB choose these players? Sports director Sebastian Kehl answered these questions in an interview with the club’s own media as follows.
Sebastian Kehl about …
… Sebastien Haller: “Obviously it’s bitter that he hasn’t been there from the start. We hoped that he would be the player who was ready to give the team a foothold because of his age, his personality and his experience. He’s a Striker who brings physicality.We wanted all of that because we wanted to have different profiles up front.It wasn’t easy because the market is limited.I’m really pleased that we were able to sign him because he just knows where the goal is up. I’m looking forward to the moment when he’s back on the pitch.”
… Karim Adeyemi: “It wasn’t easy, you have to say. Not so much to convince him as to get him here at all. The talks with Salzburg were persistent. Salzburg did a good job because they developed it well. In the end he is in good hands with us. He can play in different positions in different systems. With his speed, his goal threat and his ability to run behind the last line, he is a weapon that is very good for our squad. He brings this surprising Moment that we missed at one point or another last season.”
…Salih Ozcan: “During the talks we had the feeling that he could be a piece of the puzzle that we lack in this team. With his passion, with his openness, with his clarity, with his willingness to work hard. A great guy who knows , what role he can play in our team and which we were specifically looking for. I think that fits perfectly. I think in many areas he can be the surprising moment that gives this team something that they urgently need.”
Kehl: Süle is “really up for BVB”
… Nico Schlotterbeck: “An incredibly talented player who made a real step forward in the last year and became a capper. Personally, he’s very, very mature and very, very far along. For us, he was exactly the right age with the right perspective “And he felt that too. I think that we’ve really strengthened ourselves with him. I’m looking forward to the fact that he’s here and ready to step on the gas.
… Niklas Sule: “He’s a German international, of the right age, a top guy and also a strong central defender. We had a few talks and felt it out first. Then there was the opportunity to get him on a free transfer. Getting players at the level on a free transfer happens not every day. He credibly assured us that he was really up for it and would like to take on a new role at BVB. He wants to work on ensuring that we can take a small step up the ladder. And that’s also our expectation. Of course he should be part of the team Defensively, too, give us the stability we want. We conceded one or two too many goals last season, and he’s responsible for that now.”