“I only ever wanted Dortmund”: former BVB starlet Collins opens up | OneFootball

The former BVB talent Nnamdi Collins looks back on his challenging time in Dortmund. Unfortunately for BVB, the defender is thriving at Eintracht Frankfurt and celebrating successes all the way to the national team.

Nnamdi Collins, once a promising talent at Borussia Dortmund, has long since established himself as a professional at Eintracht Frankfurt. In the summer of 2023, the now 21-year-old moved from the Westphalians to the Hessians—a step that significantly advanced his career. He has even debuted in the German national team by now.

Looking back, Collins speaks openly about his time at BVB in an interview with kicker. "Back then, I was determined to make it at BVB. I only had eyes for Dortmund at the time; it was my dream," recalls the Düsseldorf native. However, despite his ambition, things did not go as hoped in Dortmund. Especially the communication within the club causes him headaches in retrospect. "There were many discussions in Dortmund as well, but I was never specifically told: 'You can do better by doing this or that.'"

The defender emphasizes that he never let himself be discouraged. "I always performed in the youth teams, kept my mouth shut, and carried on. I'm not the type to sulk and say I'm not interested anymore. I also played in the 3rd division and always gave it my all."

BVB Dream Shattered: Former Gem Collins on His Time in Dortmund

Overall, Collins made eight appearances for BVB's second team, but he never managed to play in the Bundesliga.

In contrast, he found the situation at Eintracht Frankfurt to be much more positive. "At Eintracht, communication is always very open and transparent. I'm the type who needs honesty to know where I stand and where I need to improve," explains Collins. The move paid off: In Frankfurt, he has been in the professional squad 38 times so far and has also gained international experience in the Europa League.

Despite all the criticism of his former club, Collins emphasizes that he holds no grudge against BVB. "I'm far from kicking anyone while they're down. Even the time in Dortmund was an educational period that I wouldn't want to miss."

For Nnamdi Collins, the story is clear: While Dortmund was a station full of learning processes for him, he was finally able to realize his potential in Frankfurt.

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