Comeback on the cards: Borussia Dortmund’s plan for starlet Duranville | OneFootball

After months of absence, Julien Duranville is finally back on the training field. BVB is planning his comeback with special caution – initially through the U23.

Julien Duranville continues to work on his comeback at Borussia Dortmund. Following his shoulder injury, which he sustained in the Club World Cup quarter-final against Real Madrid, the Belgian winger is now participating in parts of the team training again.

"Juju is still not allowed to engage in tackles because he must not fall on his shoulder. We will certainly wait until the international break," explained BVB coach Niko Kovac at the beginning of the week. This makes it clear: a return to the squad is not imminent.

Since his transfer in January 2023, Duranville's career has been repeatedly hampered by injuries. The 19-year-old has made only 27 appearances for Borussia in nearly three years and has already missed around 80 matches according to transfermarkt.de. To ensure the offensive player stays fit long-term this time, the officials are relying on a cautious build-up.

"Now after three to four months, it is important that he gets playing minutes, which he will gather with the U23. He has received the green light from the doctors for this. It could happen as soon as this weekend. He needs to work on his fitness through the second team," said Kovac before the Bundesliga match on Friday against FC Augsburg (8:30 PM).

BVB hopes for Duranville: Initial appearances planned with the U23

BVB hopes that Duranville will be gently reintroduced to the professional team through appearances with the U23. Kovac expressly praised the qualities of his protégé: "He is a technically very skilled player who can hold his own on the outside or in the number eight position and between the lines. He is fast, technically gifted. After the break, we need to give the young man some time first."

There is no doubt in Dortmund that Duranville has great potential. Even Bayern coach Vincent Kompany, who knows him from his time at Anderlecht, once raved: "Julien was a very, very big talent in our youth at Anderlecht. The club has always produced outstanding youth players and he was the best of his generation. If you make it into professional football at the age of 16, the ingredients for a top career are always there."

Now Julien Duranville is finally supposed to embark on exactly this path – step by step, and initially through the U23.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.