Too much competition at Dortmund? 2. Bundesliga side keen on BVB gem | OneFootball

Following interest from Greuther Fürth, Borussia Dortmund faces an important decision regarding a young center-back. BVB are currently weighing whether a loan move is the best step in the defender’s development.

Borussia Dortmund are facing an important decision in their squad planning. Center-back Elias Benkara could leave BVB on loan this summer. According to a report by BILD, 2. Bundesliga side Greuther Fürth are very interested in signing the defensive talent on a season-long loan.

Whether the 19-year-old will actually make the move, however, remains open. BVB’s decision-makers, led by sporting director Ole Book, are currently assessing which developmental step makes the most sense for Benkara. On the one hand, the Algerian international could gain regular professional playing time in the 2. Bundesliga. On the other hand, he is highly regarded internally and is seen as a candidate to be gradually integrated into the senior squad.

BVB already underlined that faith in the spring, when Benkara extended his contract long-term until 2029. The 1.93-meter center-back joined Dortmund in 2021 from the youth setup of FSV Mainz 05 and has since steadily worked his way through the youth teams to the U23 and ultimately into the extended first-team picture.

Elias Benkara impresses in BVB’s preseason

Benkara also appears to have impressed at the start of summer preseason. According to BILD, the defender looked significantly stronger and more athletic physically than last season – a sign that he worked intensively on his physique during the summer break.

Photo: IMAGO

Last season, Benkara was a regular starter for Dortmund’s U23, trained regularly with the first team, and gained his first experience in the Bundesliga matchday squad. However, the competition at center-back is fierce. With Nico Schlotterbeck, Waldemar Anton, Ramy Bensebaini, Emre Can, as well as talents Joane Gadou, Luca Reggiani, and Filippo Mane, BVB have numerous options, meaning regular minutes for Benkara in the first team are currently far from guaranteed.

On the international stage, the Frankfurt-born defender has also recently taken the next step. After previously representing Germany at youth level, Benkara has now chosen Algeria and is regarded there as a promising defensive talent.

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