Podcast: BVB trust youth again, Schlotterbeck weighs options | OneFootball

In one of the latest editions of the Daily Podcast, Kicker focuses on the important topics surrounding Borussia Dortmund. Patrick Kleinmann is one of the publication’s BVB experts, who willingly provides information on three different topics related to BVB.

At the beginning, the topic of whether BVB, by reducing the gap to FC Bayern to “only” eight points, is now a serious title contender is quickly dismissed as a rather unrealistic scenario. Nevertheless, with their 3-0 win at Union Berlin, BVB signaled that they are a force to be reckoned with should league leaders FCB stumble a few more times.

The first major topic is the upcoming decision for Nico Schlotterbeck on whether he should commit to BVB with a new contract—or leave Dortmund, most likely heading abroad. This question is also explored in this article.

Kleinmann points out that the prospect of becoming a BVB legend like Jürgen Kohler or Mats Hummels might not be enough to keep the national player at the club, even though he feels comfortable in Dortmund. The prospect of winning the DFB-Pokal now and then and a league title once every ten years might not be sufficient for Nico Schlotterbeck. Regularly winning titles only happens at other, bigger clubs. How Schlotterbeck weighs these arguments remains to be seen for now.

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Becoming a BVB Legend like Jürgen Kohler?

Regarding today’s match against Inter Milan, it is noted that the situation at BVB is different this time compared to recent occasions. While they are succeeding in the Bundesliga, their Champions League campaign has stalled. Without a win in three games, they have even lost twice in a row recently. Reaching the top 8 today is as unrealistic as being eliminated, even though both are still mathematically possible.

The topic of youth development and which talents are pushing through remains. Under the new sporting director, Lars Ricken, who himself came through BVB’s youth system and was head of youth development for a long time, there is hope that talents will soon make it to Niko Kovac’s first team. Recently, the promotion of talented young stars has not been as successful as is usually the case at BVB.

Kicker mentions Samuele Inacio, Mathis Albert, Mussa Kaba, and also Justin Lerma as players who could soon break into the first team. Some of them have already taken part in the professionals’ winter training camp. The question now is who among them will make the leap to a higher level—and how many opportunities Niko Kovac will give them to do so.

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