Kehl defends BVB transfers: "We've achieved our goals" | OneFootball

Sebastian Kehl responds to criticism of BVB's transfer summer. He emphasizes that the new signings strengthen the club both athletically and economically.

Borussia Dortmund is once again in the public eye after a turbulent transfer summer. Sporting Director Sebastian Kehl has now responded to criticism of the squad changes and defended his transfer strategy.

"Overall, it was a very nerve-wracking summer. We achieved many of the things we set out to do," Kehl explained in an interview with Sport Bild. The 45-year-old was particularly proud of the signings of Jobe Bellingham, Carney Chukwuemeka, Fábio Silva, Daniel Svensson, and Yan Couto. "The BVB newcomers are players with potential, who offer us a sporting and economic perspective," he emphasized.

The transfers were partly influenced by high sums from other deals on the market. Kehl pointed to the transfer of Nick Woltemade from VfB Stuttgart to Newcastle United for 90 million euros: "The sum, if it is correct, fits the wild developments." Even though Borussia Dortmund had shown interest in Woltemade, timing and market conditions were crucial.

Expiring BVB contracts: Brandt, Can, and Süle in focus

In addition to strengthening the squad, Kehl also spoke about the expiring contracts of Julian Brandt, Emre Can, and Niklas Süle. "Every player now gets the chance to prove themselves in the coming months - of course," he said, adding: "Just because you extend contracts doesn't mean you have to extend them at the same level."

Kehl responded calmly to criticism that some transfers appeared late or unnecessary. "What happens if Serhou Guirassy is out for a longer period? We probably have 50 games this season - plus the international matches. Given our goals and expectations, we can't compete with just one striker."

Despite the large investments - around 100 million euros were put into new players - Kehl sees the club well positioned: "I am absolutely convinced of our squad and believe that we are better positioned than last season." Looking ahead to the coming season, the BVB boss hopes that the team can perform more consistently and secure Champions League qualification early.

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