BVB: Two stars sorted out – they can no longer play for Dortmund

Two professionals no longer play a role at BVB. They will follow the upcoming test match against FC Villarreal from the stands.

Dortmund – At halftime in the BVB test match against FC Valencia (1:3), Manuel Akanji shuffled across the pitch in Altach with an orange hat and sunglasses. His teammates on the pitch and he in the stands: he didn’t really like the unfamiliar role.

BVB: Manuel Akanji and Nico Schulz are also outside of the friendly against Villarreal

However, the 27-year-old will probably have to get used to it. Because he will also catch up in the upcoming test match against FC Villarreal (Friday, July, 7 p.m.). sky-Information again sitting in the stands. Sorted out. Manuel Akanji thus shares the fate of Nico Schulz, who is also not used in the preparatory games in Bad Ragaz.

From BVB’s point of view, that makes sense. After all, rehearsing joint processes is reserved for those players who will still be working for the coming season Borussia Dortmund to play. This is not the case with Manuel Akanji and Nico Schulz – if the desired scenario occurs and suitable buyers are found.

BVB: Transfers currently not in sight – Manuel Akanji and Nico Schulz in an awkward position

Manuel Akanji (contract until summer 2023) still has an advantage compared to Nico Schulz (contract until summer 2024). At least he can always train with the team. However, lately loud Ruhr news not in his regular position in central defence. Because there are already enough staff with Nico Schlotterbeck, Niklas Süle, Mats Hummels and Soumaila Coulibaly.

Instead, the Swiss helped out in defensive midfield. Nico Schulz was the only fit player to train individually. By not taking into account test matches, BVB also wants to increase the pressure on the two transfer candidates. Because a quick departure is currently not in sight for either of them. In any case, one hopes that Akanji – in contrast to Nico Schulz – will still get a significant fee.

BVB: Manuel Akanji’s transfer should bring a substantial fee – difficult negotiating position

Sebastian Kehl praised him at a media round with any interested parties: “He has a value, an outstanding IV at a great age, we are relatively relaxed there.” Nevertheless, the BVB sports director admits that “it is not a very happy situation.” You are in an exchange.

What could become a problem: Potential buyers know very well that the Dortmunders with Nico Schlotterbeck, Niklas Süle, Salih Özcan, Karim Adeyemi and Sébastien Haller have already hit the transfer market and now only want to or have to give up players. They also know that Akanji is available on a free transfer next summer. This is not an ideal negotiating position.

BVB: Will Manuel Akanji and Nico Schulz never play for Borussia Dortmund again?

“Manu has never been guilty of anything,” says Sebastian Kehl. “He never asked for too much money and never presented us with any contract offers or made excessive demands. We would have liked to have signed with him, we made him an offer last year. He informed us back then that he would not accept the offer – not for economic reasons, but because he had decided to take on a new challenge this summer.”

The new challenge is still a long time coming. And meanwhile BVB has aligned its plans to a future without Manuel Akanji. And so he will probably have to watch one or the other game from the stands together with Nico Schulz. “They will probably no longer be used in test or competitive games,” speculated Responsive sport. Whether that actually happens remains to be seen.

List of rubrics: © Revierfoto/Imago, Jan Huebner/Imago, BVB, collage: Nicolas Luik/RUHR24