Champions League: Gittens Emerges as a Beacon of Hope for Dortmund
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Berlin (Germany), Dec 10 (NationPress) The former Manchester City prospect Jamie Gittens is becoming a source of optimism for the beleaguered Borussia Dortmund. As they prepare for a critical UEFA Champions League clash with Spanish giants Barcelona this Wednesday evening, the 20-year-old is the talk of the town thanks to his outstanding performances.
After his goal-scoring heroics for the Black and Yellows, speculation about enticing offers from top Premier League clubs has become a regular occurrence. Few could imagine a more challenging scenario for a gifted footballer than having to choose between Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Tottenham. With interested clubs lining up, the winger has transformed into a beacon of hope for the participants of the 2024 Champions League final.
Dortmund's alarming away-game record—its worst in 33 years—has created unrest within the club, currently positioned sixth in the Bundesliga standings, raising fears about next season's Champions League qualification, according to reports from Xinhua.
Inconsistency has plagued a team that is striving for stability; coach Nuri Sahin, now 36 years old, has faced criticism amidst these struggles. While reports suggest that €100 million is the price tag for Gittens, selling him would feel like a capitulation to the club's supporters.
Sporting director Sebastian Kehl may need to explore the transfer market for new signings during the upcoming winter break.
Although nurturing young talent and offloading promising players has been a successful strategy for the club in recent years, all hopes currently seem to hinge on Gittens, who is under contract until 2028. Aside from their worrying domestic league form, the Champions League offers a glimmer of hope, with four victories in five matches providing an opportunity to reach the competition's quarter-finals.
While positive developments on an international level may help ease league woes, the team’s struggles persist. Top scorer Serhou Guirassy is experiencing a dip in form following an injury, and inconsistencies plague both the defense and midfield. Gittens, who has been part of the Three Lions' under-21 squad, made his mark after joining the club in 2020 for a mere €90,000.
His additional training with former defender and midfielder Sven Bender, 35, has proven beneficial, as coach Sahin has noted. Bender has participated in countless training sessions with Gittens as his sparring partner. "He has made his safe landing, but it can't only be him taking us to the next stage of the Champions League," Sahin remarked.
