Dortmund's Skeleton Squad Gears Up for Club World Cup
BVB faces important matters to resolve before the Club World Cup commences
got their mitts dirty, getting back to business after a short break. But there was a palpable absence of key players during Monday's training session, with many still missing. The chaotic puzzle of the Club World Cup squad is yet to fully materialize. A select few, temporarily graced the pitch.
Training in the Heat of the Night
Niko Kovac, the zealous coach, welcomed a handful of pros for an intimate first training session post-break. Niklas Süle made a transient appearance on the pitch but had to cut his time short due to a lingering illness. Youthful prospects stepped up to the plate, taking their place amidst the shadows of their senior counterparts. It remains to be seen if any of these promising recruits will join the squad in the U.S. on June 13.
Quivering National Teams and Questionable Transfers
Nation-loving players are yet to join the fold in the upcoming week, with a dozen still locked in passionate encounters on the international stage. Dortmund is eyeing Jobe Bellingham, the delightful younger sibling of former Dortmund player, Jude, from AFC Sunderland. However, there's some debate over whether this transfer can be finalized by June 10 - the date the special transfer window for Club World Cup participants slams shut.
Carney Chukwuemeka, currently on an adventure with FC Chelsea, is expected to be part of Dortmund's traveling troupe, despite his future beyond June 30 remaining rather enigmatic. Theoretically, the loan deal may be extended until the end of the tournament. In any case, the Englishman is poised to feature in Dortmund's preliminary matches.
Soumaïla Coulibaly, still on loan to Stade Brest, is reportedly set to return early, but he's been sidelined due to an adductor injury. A premature return of loan players Youssoufa Moukoko (OGC Nice) and Sébastien Haller (FC Utrecht) is not on the cards.
The Club World Cup's Global Stage
Dortmund will square off against Fluminense from Brazil in the opening round of the Club World Cup, slated for June 17 in New Jersey. The club will then face Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa on June 21 in Cincinnati, followed by a confrontation against Ulsan HD from South Korea on June 25 in Cincinnati.
Scorecard
- Returning loanees: Youssoufa Moukoko, Sébastien Haller, Soumaïla Coulibaly, Carney Chukwuemeka, and Diant Ramaj are slated to return to the team from loan spells.
- New signings: Daniel Svensson, a left-back from Nordsjælland, and Yan Couto, a right midfielder from Manchester City, have been roped in.
- Transfer Targets: Dortmund is keen on bolstering their ranks with a box-to-box midfielder like Jobe Bellingham, a skillful number 10 in the form of Rayan Cherki, a center-back with left-sided capabilities, and a young backup striker, such as Ante Crnac.
- Injury Report: No specific information is available regarding injuries within the squad, but the team's focus on shoring up certain positions suggests that they might be tending to potential vulnerabilities.
Sources: ntv.de, tno/dpa
A Striking Mix
- Borussia Dortmund
- Football
- Football Bundesliga
- FIFA
- Club World Cup 2025
- Niko Kovac
- Niklas Süle
- Jobe Bellingham
- Carney Chukwuemeka
- Youssoufa Moukoko
- Sébastien Haller
- Soumaïla Coulibaly
- Daniel Svensson
- Yan Couto
- Rayan Cherki
- Ante Crnac
The Commission has not yet adopted a decision on the conclusion of the agreement regarding the transfers of Jobe Bellingham and Carney Chukwuemeka, potentially impacting Dortmund's roster for the Club World Cup. Despite the absence of key players during recent training sessions, the team's spirit remains high as they practice football, including a focus on improving their skills in sports like football.
