sportskeeda
As attention turns to HARRY KANE during the intense German football rivalry this Saturday night,
for Borussia Dortmund supporters, Jamie Gittens is the player who truly warrants the limelight.
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The 20-year-old winger from Reading joined Manchester City as a 17-year-old before making the move to Dortmund in 2020, following in the footsteps of Jude Bellingham and Jadon Sancho.
Gittens now plays a vital role in new manager Nuri Sahin’s setup, having netted four goals in the Champions League this season, including one against Real Madrid and an impressive strike against Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday night.
Dortmund icon Karl-Heinz Riedle is confident that Gittens has the capability to shine in the upcoming Der Klassiker against Bayern Munich.
The former Liverpool forward, now 59, stated: “Jamie has not completely matured into what we anticipate from a world-class player yet, but he has all the skills to achieve that level.
“He can become the next Sancho, Haaland, or Bellingham.
“He’s incredibly speedy, outstanding in one-on-one confrontations, and has an excellent eye for goal.
“I see a young talent with comprehensive skills who is dedicated to bettering himself.
“That development comes with experience; the more games you partake in, the more you understand, refining your decision-making and overall gameplay.
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“What is essential is that you must be agile and unafraid to challenge a defender in one-on-one duels. That’s what we want to see.
“It’s the same appeal that drew crowds to see Sancho and Haaland play.
Jude Bellingham says he feels like a ‘scapegoat’ as he discusses England woes
“Fans were excited to witness their skills, and Jamie has that potential as well.”
Gittens, who opted to drop the “Bynoe” from his double-barrelled surname at the start of the season, has played for every England team from Under-15 to U21.
He even celebrated a championship win at the 2022 European U19 Championship.
His current goal is to make it to the senior squad — and with Thomas Tuchel recently appointed as the new England manager, his path might be expedited.
Riedle believes Gittens will not be the only young English talent looking towards the Ruhr-based club for a career launch.
He noted: “Dortmund feels like a family. Players see that we have everything in place to help them reach their peak.
“Here, they can perform at the highest levels while perhaps facing slightly less pressure than if they were with clubs like Manchester United or City.
“We give them the opportunity to develop into extraordinary athletes.
“Jamie has remarkable potential and could leave an even more significant legacy than Jude and Jadon did.”
Striker Kane has netted 50 Bundesliga goals in only 43 matches — a record-breaking pace.
Despite this stellar start and Munich remaining unbeaten in the league, the England captain faced criticism from former Bayern and Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann, who asserted he fails to deliver in “big” matches.
Riedle believes Hamann’s remarks are unwarranted.
He expressed: “Didi attacked him despite the fact he scored a significant number last year — I completely disagree with that.
“Harry is simply an exceptional finisher and a great footballer.
“No player can score in every match or take advantage of every chance. He has been outstanding for Munich and is phenomenal.
“His passion is football; he loves the sport, remains remarkably humble, and strives for success.”
- KARL-HEINZ RIEDLE was sharing insights to mark the tenth anniversary of Borussia Dortmund’s ongoing engagement in Singapore.
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