Now they must deliver: Kovač turns up pressure on BVB duo | OneFootball

After the disappointing pre-season friendlies, Niko Kovac is now focusing on two BVB professionals. Both are expected to take the next step in their development.

Borussia Dortmund may still be in the middle of preparations for the new season, but coach Niko Kovac is already turning his attention to two players from whom he expects significantly more in the future. Following the friendly defeats against Fortuna Düsseldorf (1–2) and Cerezo Osaka (0–1), Fabio Silva and Carney Chukwuemeka are particularly in the spotlight. Both joined BVB last summer for high transfer fees, but so far they have not been able to live up to expectations.

Striker Fabio Silva, in particular, is still waiting for his breakthrough. Since his move to Dortmund, the Portuguese forward has scored only three competitive goals and has also failed to get on the scoresheet in the pre-season friendlies so far.

In the 0–1 defeat against Cerezo Osaka, the 24-year-old missed a good chance to equalize shortly before the end. Speaking to WAZ, Kovac made it clear what matters for his striker: “Goals are always important for a striker.” Carney Chukwuemeka is also facing a pivotal season. The midfielder has repeatedly shown his footballing quality, but has regularly been held back by injuries.

BVB coach Kovac sends a clear message to Silva and Chukwuemeka

In his professional career so far, the 22-year-old has played just one full match. All the more positive, then, is how the BVB coach views his player’s development over the past few months. “Compared to when he first arrived, Carney is in a completely different place. He has become much more solid, has added weight and physicality. It’s similar with Fabio,” Kovac said, praising the duo’s physical development.

Photo: IMAGO

Even so, the coach made it clear that the grace period is over. “The lads who come to Germany need a little time. They got that time. Now, in their second year, we expect them to step it up. But I’m convinced they will. They’ll get their minutes.”

The competition is also likely to become even tougher for both of them. Dortmund have already signed another attacking player in Konstantinos Karetsas, and a move for Saïd El Mala is still considered possible. Silva and Chukwuemeka are therefore under pressure, because BVB finally need the kind of performances from their multi-million signings that had been hoped for when they were brought in.

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