Comparable to Kroos, Kovac: Dortmund Have Never Had a Midfielder Like Veerman

In the first round of the Champions League, Borussia Dortmund narrowly defeated Villarreal 3-2, with new summer signing Joey Veerman delivering an outstanding performance.

The Dutch midfielder, who joined from PSV Eindhoven, has been compared with midfield metronomes such as Kroos, Rodri, and Pirlo. He may be the midfield core Dortmund under Kovac have been searching for over a long period, and could even change the coach's established tactical preference of progressing the ball through the wings.

Dortmund have not lacked quality midfielders in recent years. Sabitzer, Nmecha, Jobe Bellingham, Brandt, and Groß all have their own strengths. However, Kovac has never fully trusted them with the responsibility of building attacks from the center. Throughout his coaching career, Kovac has preferred to move the ball directly to the flanks when facing pressure, which resulted in Dortmund's midfielders having fewer touches last season, reduced attacking creativity, and the wings becoming easier for opponents to target.

Veerman, signed for 22 million euros, naturally possesses the ability to organize play through the middle. He constantly makes himself available for the ball in central areas, has excellent game reading ability and passing vision, and his style is reminiscent of Kroos, Rodri, and Pirlo. He is not known for speed or physical explosiveness, but even under intense pressing he rarely loses possession and can deliver high-quality switches and penetrating passes.

In the Bundesliga match against Hoffenheim, Veerman came on as a substitute and immediately brought attacking rhythm and stability to the team's shape. Against Villarreal, he made his first start, recording 99 touches, completing 82 of 87 passes, and continuously distributing the ball to teammates in different areas while helping those around him perform better. His double-pivot partner Nmecha, Sabitzer ahead of him, and the players on both wings were all able to receive his passes and get the ball in better positions.

In last season's Eredivisie campaign, Veerman provided 14 assists and was the league's assist leader. After the match, Kovac praised the Dutchman: "His ability on the ball is outstanding, and that is also why we signed him. When opponents apply intense pressure and it becomes difficult to handle the ball in tight spaces, he can help us find solutions." Many experts had already rated the signing before the season as one of the Bundesliga's best transfers of the summer.

If Veerman can maintain this level of performance, he will not only address Dortmund's tactical weakness but could also ease Kovac's concerns about organizing play through the center. For Borussia Dortmund, that may be the greatest value of this transfer.