Here’s how Mats Hummels helps Borussia Dortmund

Dortmund needed an experienced center back

Borussia Dortmund aren’t lacking talent on defense, as they have some of the best young center backs in the world in Manuel Akanji, Abdou Diallo, and Dan-Axel Zagadou. However, Dortmund had two issues on defense last year.

Firstly, they were lacking in depth, and while Julian Weigl fulfilled his responsibilities at center back capably, the Black and Yellow were spread thin by Akanji’s injury.  And secondly, Zagadou’s inexperience showed in bigger games, as Bayern took full advantage of his harried passing in their blowout victory at the Allianz Arena during the thick of the title race.

Akanji is one of the best center backs in the world, Zagadou will be one of the best at his position, and Diallo is a rising star who can excel at either center back or left back. However, Dortmund needed someone older to bring in some real star power to the position and help solidify Lucien Favre’s up-and-down defense.

Mats Hummels is exactly that kind of player. He has built a reputation as one of the best passers in a back four, and that’s something Dortmund desperately need. Akanji’s work in supporting the attack often goes underrated, but, on the other hand, passing has been a huge weakness for the developing Zagadou.

Dortmund reportedly showed interest in Arsenal standout and leader Laurent Koscielny, who remains effective at the age of 33. While Hummels is significantly more expensive than Koscielny, he’s also three years younger, familiar with Dortmund as a club, and a superior player to Koscielny in every aspect of a center back’s play.