How Are They Getting On: August 2016

Hi guys!

With the new season already underway and the second Bundesliga game this weekend, we thought it would be a good idea to analyze how the new boys are getting on in black-yellow.

We hope to make this a monthly thing - what do you think?

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Ousmane Dembélé

Great control, great dribbling, great control - but not the best decision making. He lost possession because of his reluctance to pass or his poor shots. He seems to hesitate when passing, and this costs him. He has the talent, he just needs to develop the chemistry with the rest of the team.

He impressed in the preseason, but his performance since (Bayern, Trier, Mainz) has been a bit lacking.

Marc Bartra

He's been pretty decent. He's a seasoned player who knows his job. He looked very comfortable against Bayern, he made defending against Trier look effortless, and had no problems against Mainz. His occasional long balls also hint at the fact that he might be Hummels's superior in more than just the cheekbones department.

The only criticism is that he tends to play it safe. I'd love to see him attack more.

Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images

Sebastian Rode

Rode... well...

My MOTM against Bayern, and brilliant perforances against both Trier and Mainz! He's the hard-tackling box-to-box midfielder that we needed but didn't deserve.

He's no Ilkay replacement - he has a completely different role on the pitch. He's the enforcer, a role that we were definitely lacking. He links up with Weigl so well - the brutal henchman to Weigl's evil mastermind. I can see both of them plotting to take over the world midfield!

Emre Mor

He's in exactly the same position as Dembélé. So much talent, but no passing sense.

Dembélé has slightly better decision-making skills which see him starting over Mor in the early days. But once Mor finds his feet and figures out how to work with his teammates, he'll be a force to be reckoned with.

I'm not worried about either of the two nineteen-year-olds. Decision-making is something you learn with time and they'll get there.

Photo by Deniz Calagan/Getty Images

Raphael Guerreiro

European Champion Raphael Guerreiro, I should say.

TT has mostly been using Guerreiro as an impact sub the last few matches. He hasn't started much - either because he joined the preseason too late or because we have too many fullbacks (or both?). When he has come on it's been in the wingback position or to add depth, he hasn't played the traditional fullback role. Who knows what crazy plans TT has in store for him?

Mario Götze

He hasn't played any of the big matches, so it remains to be seen how he'll do. He's done reasonably well in the friendlies he's played in, but that's no indication of whether or not he's going to get to the level of brilliance he was at before leaving.

I guess we'll find out.

André Schürrle

Oh Schürrle. You have a lot to live up to.

He was a bit of a disappointment against Bayern - but that was probably just because he was still finding his feet. He has impressed since, with one goal against Trier and two assists against Mainz (as well as some goals in the friendlies). I can definitely see why TT wanted him so much. I'm a fan!

Others

(Mikel Merino, Orel Mangala, Hamadi Al Ghaddioui)

I didn't want a 'miscellaneous section' in this article, but I couldn't justify talking about all three separately since I doubt any of them will get much first team action.

TT played Merino in as a center-back in the first team, but that didn't work. Al Ghaddioui is absolutely killing it in Borussia Dortmund II, but will probably stay there this season. Mangala has also made his presence known with the U19's. (Maybe check out my monthly Baby Bee Report if you want to know more about these players?)

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That's all I have for August. See you guys at the end of September!