Jadon Sancho, Jacob Bruun Larsen and the players to succeed Christian Pulisic at Borussia Dortmund
With Christian Pulisic bound for pastures new this summer following news of his move to English Premier League side Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund are left with the task of replacing the American winger. Jadon Sancho has already proved to be more than capable in the wide attacking role, but who else could fill the void left by the USA international?
Jadon Sancho
Pulisic himself said "the sky is the limit" for Sancho who, in turn, hailed his competitive rival as an "inspiration" for his exploits for both club and country at such a young age. Sancho has started ten of Dortmund’s 17 games this campaign and has featured in every league match so far, with a return of six goals and seven assists ample justification for Lucien Favre’s increased faith in the Englishman.
Sancho has thrived in a Dortmund side making all the early running in the Bundesliga, lighting up the league with his distinct, direct style played at a relentless, edge-of-your-seat pace. As a result, Dortmund are far better prepared for Pulisic’s departure and in Sancho already have a player surpassing the USA international’s remarkable achievements.
Jacob Bruun Larsen
Sancho is not the only youngster whose stock has risen in the Dortmund setup this term, as Jacob Bruun Larsen has also hit the ground running since returning to the club over the summer following a loan spell at VfB Stuttgart.
The Dane, described as having "the nose for goal" by his coach, has started all but two of his 13 appearances back at Dortmund. In that time, he has provided two goals and an assist and – like Sancho - is one of the players to have kept Pulisic out of the side.
A tireless runner with a knack of drawing defenders out of position and then popping into space, Bruun Larsen also has pace and trickery in abundance, coupled with a tactical discipline and willingness to perform defensive duties that sit well with an exacting coach like Favre.
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Marius Wolf
And while Sancho and Bruun Larsen may top the pecking order out wide once Pulisic leaves, they are by no means the only candidates.
Wolf, a summer signing from Eintracht Frankfurt, has not had the easiest of starts to life at Dortmund thanks to injury problems, but will now be hoping to nail down more minutes with the side.
The 23-year-old has scored once in just five outings this season, but he certainly has the talent to do damage in the Bundesliga. His performances for Frankfurt last season offer hope in that regard, his five goals and nine assists from out wide a key reason behind the Eagles' eighth-place finish and their DFB Cup triumph over Bayern Munich.
Maximilian Philipp
Philipp is another who will be hoping for more game time come the summer. Signed from Freiburg in July 2017, he enjoyed a successful first campaign in Black and Yellow, averaging a goal or assist every 100 minutes across 20 outings.
The increased competition for places in 2018/19 have limited him to just 11 Bundesliga games thus far, but the 24-year-old's turn of pace, crossing accuracy and, above all, finishing ability could give him the edge when the time comes for Favre to make a decision.
Sergio Gomez
While the above have all been tried and tested at senior level, Spain U19 international Sergio Gomez could be the next player off the seemingly never-ending conveyer belt of exciting talents in Dortmund.
Although more at home as an attacking midfielder, the 18-year-old can play on either wing and may find his route to more regular playing time in the early stages of his career from the relative safety of wide areas.
Having already featured in the UEFA Champions League this season, Gomez will be champing at the bit to run out in the league for the first time since accumulating a combined seven minutes of action from two substitute outings in April.
Pulisic will exit Dortmund having left an indelible mark on the club, but with such talented alternatives waiting in the wings, the future still looks very bright indeed for the Bundesliga leaders.
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