The fact that the second team from Borussia Dortmund is doing so well as a promoted team in the 3rd division is also thanks to the strong performances of Immanuel Pherai. In his role as the linchpin of the offensive game, the creative head, who was once also considered a candidate for the professionals, is totally absorbed. Before the away game at 1. FC Saarbrücken on Wednesday (from 7 p.m. in the LIVE ticker), the voices in the BVB environment are increasing, demanding a new chance for the Dutchman in the Bundesliga team.
Not so long ago, Immanuel Pherai was still considered a great promise for the future in Dortmund. Anyone who saw the technically adept playmaker work magic in BVB’s junior teams immediately understood that none other than star consultant Mino Raiola had fought to be allowed to manage the youngster.
Last year, however, things became quiet around the Netherlands international, who was born in Amsterdam. A loan home to PEC Zwolle was a mixed bag, after which new professional coach Marco Rose found no use for Pherai, who was transferred to the newly-promoted second-team.
But instead of sulking, the noble technician accepted the new situation in an exemplary manner. A look at the statistics reveals how important Pherai is for coach Enrico Maaßen’s team: Five goals and seven assists in 21 appearances are a team-internal top value, only Berkan Taz also has twelve goals involved.
BVB: Pherai’s stroke of genius in Mannheim goes viral
Pherai recently experienced his highlight of the season so far in a 3-1 away win in Mannheim, when he defeated the black and yellow with a score of 1-1 with a world-class lift from almost 45 meters put on the road to victory.
“The boy is crazy, he’s known for something like that. It’s crazy,” enthused goalkeeper Stefan Drljaca after his teammate’s stroke of genius.
Pherai himself described the remarkable scene in a surprisingly sober manner: “I saw that the goalkeeper was standing in front of his goal. I have nothing to lose and just gave it a try. Of course, you also need luck.”
Videos of the 20-year-old’s dream goal quickly made the rounds on the Internet, and quite a few fans saw it as the ultimate proof of Pherai’s suitability for higher tasks. The Borussia bosses don’t seem to have come to this conclusion yet.
Borussia Dortmund let Pherai fidget in the summer
Because: Pherai’s working paper in Dortmund is only valid until June 30th. And a few months ago everything pointed to a separation in the summer.
According to the club’s “Ruhr Nachrichten”, they were not completely convinced of the rough diamond’s abilities, so his chances of making the leap to the pros were judged to be “rather low”.
The loan to the Dutch first division club PEC Zwolle was too disappointing. Pherai recorded 28 appearances, two goals and three assists there.
Pherai (center) played in the Eredivisie in the 2020/2021 season
Back at Borussia, the Raiola protégé was left in the dark for a while. “For a long time it was not clear to me how things would continue for me at BVB. I actually assumed that I would train with the professionals again. But I should then report to the U23s for the start of training,” revealed Pherai in mid-November Interview with “Spox” and “Goal”.
A month later, license player manager Sebastian Kehl asked him for an interview. “He said that the year in Zwolle was good for me and they will now watch my development in the U23,” recalled Pherai, who added with regard to his perspective: “In the winter break we will sit down again and discuss mine Future.”
BVB is aiming for an extension – calls from the Bundesliga
Since then, Pherais shares have risen steadily. So much so that, according to “kicker”, those responsible for BVB are now striving for an extension with the offensive man.
According to Ingo Preuss, team manager of the U23s, the right foot is currently “in the best phase of his career”. A winter departure should therefore be prevented at all costs.
Problem: There is still no sign of promotion to the Bundesliga squad, which is why other clubs are already scratching their hooves. In autumn, Pherai confirmed “concrete interest from clubs in Germany’s 1st and 2nd divisions”.
The Oranje talent should be aware that his chances of playing in his favorite position behind the leaders in the first team are slim in the short to medium term. Captain Marco Reus, Julian Brandt and Gio Reyna, who is working on his comeback, are currently far ahead of Pherai in the hierarchy.
Pherai has “not yet given up” on the dream of BVB pros
If the midfielder decides to extend the dethroned cup winners, patience should be required. There is no place for the pros (yet), the second team urgently needs Pherai. Means: For the time being, the dribbling artist has to do without duels with Bayern, Leipzig and Frankfurt and instead make do with Meppen, Havelse and Verl.
However, his long-term goal remains the same. He has “not yet given up the dream” of a Bundesliga debut in black and yellow, Pherai said in November: “That’s why I came here four years ago. I still believe that I can reach the necessary level. “
The latest impressions from the 3rd league confirm Pherai’s thesis.
Heiko Lütkehus