Borussia Dortmund have joined an ever-growing list of clubs interested in the services of Emre Can, if reports in the English press are to be believed. The Liverpool midfielder’s contract expires next summer and he’s obviously a player with notable talents. Yet at the Bundesliga club, he could prove to be truly exceptional signing.
Having excelled at Bayer Leverkusen and then Liverpool, Peter Bosz and his employers are well aware of the talents the 23-year old has already shown so far in his career. And at such a young age he offers a fascinating degree of potential that could see him become a really coveted player in European football.
Although Dortmund already have at least five central midfielders on their books, Can would bring something that none of the current crop offer the Bundesliga hopefuls.
Gonzalo Castro and Nuri Sahin are both, technically, central midfielders yet their strengths lie in moving forward with the ball. At their best, both are in the team to hold on to possession and move the ball around the park, yet neither offer the protection needed in front of a fragile backline.
In Julian Weigl and Mahmoud Dahoud Dortmund have two, talented central midfielders that could easily replace the aforementioned pair and star in midfielder for the German side for years to come, yet they have shown that despite their technical ability they do lack a midfield enforcer alongside side them.
Dortmund tried to amend this problem last summer with the signing of Sebastian Rode from Bayern Munich. However, the former Eintracht Frankfurt star struggled to impose himself in the side and injuries have gotten in the way of any consistent first-team football. And although Rode and Can are similar types of players, the latter is unquestionably more talented and four years younger.
If the Westfalenstadion side were to capture Can’s signing, he’d walk straight into that team alongside the likes of Sahin, Dahoud or Weigl and offer a physicality and defensive cover in the centre of the park that has sorely been missing.
Couple that convenience with a clear, driven attitude that has seen the young midfielder go from Bayern reject to Liverpool star and you have a player that you can build a team around. Not only one with all the physical attributes, but the character to clearly push himself on and help his side win titles.
When it comes to challenging at the top of the Bundesliga, Dortmund could use all the help they can get. Can is a player that would help that cause with a notable and immediate effect.
