Felix Nmecha and Joey Veerman: The budding partnership that could power Borussia Dortmund to new heights
Four games, four wins and a new midfield combination taking shape: Borussia Dortmund’s flawless start to 2026/27 has given supporters plenty to enjoy, with Felix Nmecha’s attacking influence and summer signing Joey Veerman’s industry offering particular encouragement. Their first Bundesliga start together ended in a 1-0 victory at VfB Stuttgart – and suggested there could be plenty more to come.
Dortmund have not opened a Bundesliga campaign this well since Thomas Tuchel was at the helm during the 2015/16 season.
And yet, for Nmecha and Veerman, the opening couple of matchdays were quiet. The Dutchman started on the bench following his summer arrival from PSV Eindhoven, while Nmecha lost his starting place against Paderborn on Matchday 3 after an unconvincing first two outings. "Felix is certainly not where he can be yet. He played at the World Cup. The preparation was perhaps not what he's used to, but he needs some time now," Kovač said of Nmecha after the first few matchdays.
However, the German international would come off the bench to score twice in that 3-0 victory against Paderborn, registering his first Bundesliga brace and matching his entire league tally from the previous campaign.
Watch: Dortmund 3-0 Paderborn
That cameo performance, alongside Veerman's in the UEFA Champions League against Villarreal, would see the pair start together for the first time against Stuttgart on Matchday 4. In the game at the MHPArena, Veerman repaid his coach's faith by winning 73 per cent of his contests, which ranked him among BVB’s best performers in that area.
The Dutchman's role in BVB's 1-0 away win in Stuttgart hints at why the combination with Nmecha could work. On the evidence so far, Veerman’s passing and industry offer a promising complement to his teammate’s attacking instincts. If he can consistently combine those qualities with the competitive edge he showed in Stuttgart, there is scope for the pair to influence games at both ends.
“Joey is a similar type of player to Felix Nmecha: very secure on the ball, someone who always asks for it," head coach Niko Kovač said of Veerman after his arrival in Dortmund.
Alongside his reliable distribution, Veerman is also averaging 12.5 kilometres per 90 minutes in the Bundesliga, demonstrating a willingness to cover ground that gives the Dortmund faithful another reason to warm to him. His work in duels is developing, too. A season success rate of 51 per cent leaves room for improvement, particularly when compared to Jobe Bellingham's 68 per cent.
Veerman and Nmecha's partnership may still be developing, but after just one game together, Die Schwarzgelben already look more cohesive centrally. There is a great deal of mutual respect between the two BVB stars as well.
After joining the German club, Veerman said of Nmecha: "I could tell right from the first training session that he’s a brilliant player. We’ve also had lots of chats during training and in the changing room as well. You can tell he’s a good player, and I’m looking forward to playing many more matches with him."
With Bellingham and Marcel Sabitzer also in the mix to start every week, Kovač is hardly short of options in central areas. But after their impressive partnership against Stuttgart, Nmecha and Veerman have laid down an early marker to their Dortmund teammates.
