According to reports, Borussia Dortmund want to sign Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha next summer.
Sky Sports claim Dortmund have already held initial talks with Zaha’s representatives, meaning the process of what could become one of this year’s most intriguing transfers may have already begun.
Dortmund, who currently sit top of the Bundesliga with a six-point lead over champions Bayern Munich, are set to lose Christian Pulisic to Chelsea at the end of the season.
It appears they have identified Zaha as a potential replacement. But is the 26-year-old a suitable option? Would he suit the Bundesliga? And how could Dortmund line up with Zaha in their ranks?
We’ve attempted to answer those questions below.
Would Zaha suit the Bundesliga?
It’s no longer a surprise to see English players leave the Premier League for the Bundesliga. Of course, Zaha is an Ivory Coast international, but he has represented the Three Lions in the past and has spent his entire career in England.
A number of young England hopefuls have left the Premier League for Germany over the last 12 months or so, most notably Jadon Sancho, who has been a huge hit at Dortmund and could be lining up next to Zaha next season.
Zaha is past the point of being considered a “hopeful”, but there is a feeling he could reach a higher level by moving to a Champions League club. And the German top-flight could hand him that opportunity.
The pace of the Bundesliga is quicker than that of La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1, making it the most similar of Europe’s top five divisions to the Premier League.
For that reason, it’s easy to understand why English youngsters are choosing Germany and the likes of Arsenal are happy to send Reiss Nelson on loan to the Bundesliga. With that in mind, Zaha would likely thrive.
Line-up 1: Fire on the flanks
Dortmund have primarily lined up in a 4-2-3-1 this season with Axel Witsel and Thomas Delaney in central midfield, supporting a rotating attacking midfield trio. Marco Reus is usually plays centrally, but there has been more uncertainty out wide.
Sancho seems to be gradually becoming a regular, but Pulisic has been in and out of the team with Raphael Guerreiro often being picked on the left. There is certainly an opportunity for somebody to make that spot their own, particularly with Pulisic on his way out.
That’s where Zaha will immediately step in, interchanging flanks with Sancho in the 4-2-3-1. His dribbling ability – the winger has attempted 6.96 dribbles per 90 league minutes this term, completing 3.06 per 90 – should help him to adapt relatively quickly if he makes the move.
With Zaha and Sancho in the wide positions, the pace of Dortmund’s front line would be the envy of Europe, providing both players are able to fulfil their huge potential.
Line-up 2: Potent partnership
Remarkably, Dortmund’s top scorer Paco Alcacer has predominantly been used from the bench since he arrived at Dortmund from Barcelona. Indeed, 10 of the striker’s 12 Bundesliga goals this season have come as a substitute.
In order to make Alcacer a more complete part of the team, manager Lucien Favre may need to pair him with a strike partner. Maximilian Philipp hasn’t really worked out in that regard, scoring just one Bundesliga goal so far this season.
Will Favre consider Zaha as a partner for Alcacer? Zaha hasn’t scored since mid-September but he could thrive in a team that creates more chances than Palace, where has has often had to fashion opportunities for himself. With added freedom, the forward could afford to make more runs in behind defences at Dortmund.
Zaha has never scored more than nine goals across all competitions in a single season. Perhaps the refreshing nature of a move abroad will see him finally enter double figures.
Line-up 3: Dream diamond
With Reus and Mario Gotze both having suffered serious, recurring injuries over the last few seasons, Dortmund could do with another option to play in the number 10 role, functioning as the fulcrum of the team’s attack.
Zaha has the potential to do exactly that, transitioning the team’s attacks by taking on the opposition rather than passing through them. Alcacer and Philipp – or a potential new signing up front – would occupy the two striker positions, but there is potential for them to rotate with Zaha in a fluid front three.
The diamond, with a dedicated defensive midfielder in the shape of Witsel, would permit Zaha to only think about attacking, which is the ideal scenario for the talented dribbler.
Zaha has provided three Premier League assists this season. That’s not a huge amount, but Palace desperately lack goalscorers. With more prolific strikers at Dortmund, Zaha could prove to be the team’s creator-in-chief whenever Reus is unavailable.
The post Three ways Borussia Dortmund could line up with Wilfried Zaha appeared first on Squawka News.
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