Key BVB Storylines to Follow During the 2026-2027 Season
The 2026-2027 Bundesliga season is nearly upon us. A new season means fresh faces, new places (hello, SV Elversberg!), the reignition of fierce rivalries (welcome back, Schalke), and a renewed sense of optimism. The first test of the season will be taken by Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, when Hamburg visit the Westfalenstadion in a clash of two traditional Bundesliga powerhouses. With that in mind, here are 3 key storylines to watch as Borussia Dortmund's 2026-2027 season unfolds:
1. The Striking Depth
It is no secret that Dortmund have relied on Serhou Guirassy to carry the goalscoring load over the past two seasons. While Guirassy was not as prolific in the 2025-2026 season (22 goals scored across all competitions in comparison to 38 goals in the 2024-2025 season), he is poised to remain Dortmund's focal point in attack in 2026-2027.
Expect him to still be one of the Bundesliga's most dominant strikers this season. However, the depth behind him should give Niko Kovac and co. some cause for concern. The second and third-highest scorers from last year's squad, Julian Brandt (11 goals) and Karim Adeyemi (joint third on 10 goals with Maximilian Beier), have both departed the club this summer.
The main forward options behind Guirassy are Fabio Silva and Beier. Neither has shown a propensity for killer goalscoring instincts during their time in black and yellow. Silva may still be on his way out before the transfer window slams shut. Expect a committee approach to goalscoring should Guirassy go down with an untimely injury during the season.
2. The Next Young Breakout Star to Bring in a Large Profit in the Transfer Market
BVB has a longstanding penchant of identifying, developing and selling young talents at a significant profit. Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, Ousmane Dembélé, Jadon Sancho, and Mario Götze, among others, all made the leap from young prodigies to bonafide stars at Dortmund before securing big-money transfers. This year's squad offers up numerous intriguing talents that could turn into the next high-profile youngster to depart Dortmund for a significant transfer fee.
To start, continue to keep a keen eye on Jobe Bellingham. The younger Bellingham brother has the most Bundesliga experience of any player in the squad yet to turn 21. Much will be expected of him in the heart of midfield, especially as he enters his second year at the club. A strong season will position him to be arguably Dortmund's most prized asset come the summer of 2027.
In defence, do not be surprised if you see Joane Gadou establish himself as a staple of Kovac's starting lineup after his solid pre-season performance, even after Nico Schlotterbeck and Emre Can return from injury. His composure, defensive instincts, and impressive physical attributes belie the fact that he is still just 19 years old. We might well see the consolidation of a Schlotterbeck- Waldemar Anton-Gadou three-man backline by the end of the season.
Further up the field, the Belgium-born Greek wonderkid, Konstantinos Karetsas, will look to provide the attacking flair that Dortmund fans expect to see from their young talents. Look for him to show off his highly-rated dribbling and passing skills on the way to being one of Dortmund's top set-up men this season. During the 2025-2026 season, Karetsas accumulated 18 assists across all competitions for his former club, KRC Genk.
3. Captain's Swan Song
This season could spell the final chapter at Dortmund for the aforementioned Can. The club captain and longest-serving member of the squad has been plagued by serious injuries for almost a year and a half. An adductor injury kept him out of action for several months in 2025. After his return in the fall, Can largely played a bit-part role. Then came the ACL tear in the Klassiker defeat to Bayern Munich at the end of February. At present, Can is still working through his injury recovery process. Expect to see Can occupy a squad depth role upon his return before likely departing the club after his contract expires next summer.
