It has been quite the comedown for Borussia Dortmund this season. After looking like favourites for the Bundesliga title on the final day of last season, with the Rückrunde just about to commence for this campaign, the Black and Yellow’s sit 15 points away from Bayer Leverkusen in pole position.
However, while this can be attributed to a plethora of reasons, one striking issue is that Dortmund, when compared to those above them in the table, are struggling to put the ball in the back of the net. Both Stuttgart and RB Leipzig have scored 38 goals compared to Dortmund’s 33, while Leverkusen have scored 47, with Bayern Munich accumulating 52.
As well as this, each club mentioned above has one player in the top four goalscorers in the Bundesliga this season, while BVB’s top scorer, Julian Brandt, sits in 13th with six goals. Niclas Füllkrug, who finished as the joint top scorer in the Bundesliga last season, was signed from Werder Bremen in the summer with the aim of replicating his sensational form at the Weserstadion, but this has not been the case.
Alongside that, Sébastien Haller has been unable to step up to the plate when called upon, leaving Dortmund without a prolific marksman this season. Nevertheless, on Saturday, Youssoufa Moukoko flourished in a rare cameo, leaving many wanting more.
Last season, there was a belief that the teenager would be the future of the club, but he has been unable to break into Edin Terzić’s side this campaign. Regardless, with Dortmund struggling for goals, it may be time for Terzić to turn to Moukoko for inspiration.
With Dortmund’s eye-catching English duo in Jadon Sancho and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens looking like BvB’s potential wingers going forward, Moukoko would only add further dynamism to Terzić’s attacking line. As well as this, as seen during his time at the club, Moukoko has remarkable intelligence in the final third for someone of his age, and it could be something that Dortmund will benefit from.
With the Champions League places currently alluding Die Schwarzgelben, something needs to change. The inclusion of Moukoko would certainly do no harm, and if his previous appearances have anything to go by, it could certainly turn out to be a masterstroke.
GGFN | Will Shopland