Konstantinos Karetsas and Joane Gadou: Borussia Dortmund's next young stars?
From Mario Götze and Ousmane Dembélé to Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham, Borussia Dortmund have long been synonymous with exciting young talent. Could Konstantinos Karetsas and Joane Gadou be the latest to follow in their footsteps?
Dortmund's latest teenage recruits have wasted little time making their mark, with Karetsas and Gadou both impressing on their Bundesliga debuts against Hamburg.
The pair may still be teenagers, but there is already a striking maturity to their games. Karetsas brings creativity and directness in attack, while Gadou provides a formidable physical presence at the other end of the pitch. Together, they offer further evidence of the talent at head coach Niko Kovač's disposal.
Karetsas brings creativity and cutting edge
Karetsas made an immediate impression against HSV, operating from the right and repeatedly cutting inside onto his favoured left foot. His dribbling and willingness to drive forward gave Dortmund an extra attacking dimension, while he also played a key role in Serhou Guirassy's opener.
The 18-year-old Greek might even have been celebrating his Bundesliga debut with a goal of his own, having admitted afterwards that he should have found the net. "I should have scored, but apart from that I'm very happy with my performance," Karetsas - who fans named Man of the Match - said after playing 74 minutes.
His assessment was followed by a reminder of the mentality Dortmund will hope to see from their latest young star. "The most important thing is the three points. No match is easy in the Bundesliga."
Gadou a formidable presence at the back
If Karetsas represents youthful invention, Dortmund's other teenage signing offers a rather different proposition.
At 6'5" tall, Gadou is hard to miss. The 19-year-old Frenchman is equally hard to get past. Signed from Salzburg, the centre-back combines his imposing frame with an uncompromising approach to defending, using his strength and reach to win challenges and shield the ball while remaining disciplined.
For opposing attackers, trying to wrestle possession away from a player of Gadou's stature could prove a daunting prospect. Yet his qualities extend beyond his physical presence. Against Hamburg, Gadou also showcased his ability on the ball, repeatedly finding teammates with long, accurate passes from the back.
Operating on the right of a back three, Gadou had Julian Ryerson providing cover further forward on the flank and Waldemar Anton alongside him in the centre. It was a role that allowed the youngster to demonstrate both his defensive instincts and his composure in possession. That versatility could prove particularly valuable for BVB as the season progresses.
Another dimension
Gadou's arrival has added further depth to a Dortmund defence that was already among the team's strengths last season. And with Nico Schlotterbeck now back on the training ground, Kovač has another defender capable of combining aggressive tackling with quality in possession.
Further forward, Karetsas offers a different kind of weapon, perhaps not seen at the five-time Bundesliga winners since club legend Marco Reus: creativity between the lines, the ability to beat a man and an instinct to immediately turn defence into attack.
It is still far too early to place either teenager in the same bracket as Dortmund's most famous young stars. The likes of Götze, Dembélé, Haaland and Bellingham all left their own indelible mark at Signal Iduna Park before going on to become global stars.
But Karetsas and Gadou have already offered an intriguing glimpse of what they could bring. Dortmund's new generation is young, talented – and already making its presence felt.
