Everyone is welcome in the ‘Yellow Wall.’
We’re all familiar with the success story that has been Borussia Dortmund this season.
The German side are flying-high in the Bundesliga and currently sit top of the pack after an unbeaten start.
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There’s an unrivalled feel good factor around the club right now and no player has benefited more from this than Paco Alcacer.
The Spaniard was once a Barcelona castoff who had struggled to make any sort of impact in his two years with the Catalan giants.
Alcacer is a completely different monster this season.
Dortmund took a chance on the 25-year-old, snapping him up on a season-long loan in the summer.
The Spaniard has rewarded their faith with a goal-glut to rival the very best in Europe and boasts a strike-rate that leaves you questioning everything you believe.
Alcacer has scored eight goals in five appearances in all competitions and has left his Barca woes behind him.
He is currently averaging a goal every 18 minutes in Germany’s top flight, toppling the likes of Robert Lewandowski who’s averaging a goal every 142 minutes.
Alcacer’s form has been rewarded with an olive branch back into the national team picture.
The former Valencia man is once again in contention for Spain and made his first appearance since 2016 in a friendly against Wales earlier in the month.
Barca included an option to buy the Spaniard in the loan-deal, a decision they might well be regretting now.
It’s safe to say Dortmund would be wise to explore the possibility of making the move permanent at the end of the season
Alcacer’s tale of redemption is not alone in proving the healing powers of Dortmund.
Michy Batshuayi was the trailblazer for out-of-sorts strikers who kick-started their career with the Yellows and Blacks.
The Belgian had struggled at Chelsea, scoring just seven Premier League goals during his one-and-half year stint at Stamford Bridge.
A change of scenery was needed for the 25-year-old who joined Dortmund on a six-months loan-deal and it worked an absolute treat.
The Batman was back to his best.
Batshuayi became a regular in the side and his consistent minutes on the pitch transformed him into one of Europe’s most inform strikers.
The Chelsea nomad scored nine goals in 14 appearances in all competitions during his time in Germany and looked a far-cry from the struggler we saw in the Premier League.
The Belgian was struck down by an ankle ligament problem in May that ruled him out of action for the remainder of the campaign.
The season-ending injury meant Batshuayi returned early to Chelsea before he was farmed out on loan again.
The Belgian’s time with Valencia has so far been a difficult one and the goals have dried up this season.
If only he went back to Germany.
The success-stories of Alcacer and Batshuayi place Dortmund as a footballing haven for out-of-favour strikers.
Do you know a striker who could do with some healing to find their shooting boots? Get them on a one-way flight to Germany.
Danny Welbeck, anyone?
READ MORE FROM THE WORLD OF DREAM TEAM:
- Jadon Sancho’s link up with Marco Reus is the key to Dortmund’s success this season
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