So how much despair can a Borussia Dortmund fan deal with right now?
The way they were pipped to the Bundesliga title just over a fortnight ago is still so very raw and, as this SBOTOP writer remarked at the time, is a setback which I think will haunt them for years.
Certainly, I am not expecting them to recover sufficiently to go as close again next term – I suspect the Bundesliga betting odds will concur in due course.
In addition, two weeks on from the misery they experienced on the final day of the domestic season – being pipped to the title on goal difference by habitual rivals Bayern Munich – they are already being weakened ahead of the next campaign, just as the Bavarians are strengthening.
Déjà vu?
Too true it is. And after a decade of losing their best players – many directly to Bayern – it begs the question, just how much hurt will the boys from the Westfalenstadion have to endure?
Well, saying farewell to German footballer of the year, the talented teenager who created so many of their Bundesliga highlights last term, was no surprise.
But it doesn’t hurt any less to see the departure of Jude Bellingham who, at the age of 19, was even entrusted with the captain’s armband on a couple of occasions through the course of the campaign.
His pending arrival at Real Madrid – albeit for a fee which will allow them to invest in quality players – will leave a hole at Dortmund at the same time as Bayern have added to their armoury.
For in Konrad Laimer, they have snapped up, on a free transfer, an established Bundesliga defensive midfielder from RB Leipzig.
The 26 year-old, who has joined on a four-year deal, confirmed he would be moving on following their German Cup win.
He made 190 appearances for the club after moving from Red Bull Salzburg in 2017 and his departure is also a blow to Leipzig, who finished just five points behind the top two in the league this term.
It hasn’t all been negative for Dortmund, believe it or not.
They have managed to sign the Algerian Ramy Bensebaini from Borussia Monchengladbach, a defender Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl describes as ‘a player in his prime’.
Elsewhere, other clubs have laid down early markers to strengthen their own squads.
Naby Keita is returning to Germany after his five years at Liverpool was hampered by injuries and he has penned a three-year deal with Werder Bremen – a move which could prove one of the deals of the summer if he can stay fit.
On the final day of the season Bremen were beaten by a late goal at Union Berlin which meant the club from the capital has qualified for the Champions League for the first time.
They have strengthened also by agreeing a £6.4 million deal for FC Porto defender Diogo Leite, the centre-back making a permanent move following 28 league appearances on loan.
Another defender, Alex Grimaldo, is also leaving Portugal for Germany and checking in at Bayer Leverkusen, as Xabi Alonso continues his quiet influence at Die Werkself, who acted quickly for the in-demand free agent who was developed by Barcelona as a youngster.
There is much more to come, of course, and the recruits made by newly promoted Darmstadt and Bundesliga debutants Heidenheim are sure to attract great interest too.
The season may now officially be over but Bundesliga interest never breaks for long. PS – The fixture list for next season will be released on June 30!
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