Mike Tullberg's vision for the future should come into focus soon. - © IMAGO / RHR-Foto

bundesliga

Five Borussia Dortmund teenagers to watch with Mike Tullberg in charge

28.01.2025

Borussia Dortmund have appointed former U19 head coach Mike Tullberg to the top job on an interim basis in light of Nuri Şahin's departure. bundesliga.com looks at five players who could now give the first team some teenage kicks.

Dortmund have a rich history of promoting teenaged talent. Indeed, the recently departed Şahin was their youngest ever debutant before Youssoufa Moukoko made his BVB bow in November 2020 a day past his 16th birthday.

In recent years, future stars of the world game have made a teenaged debut at Dortmund: Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, Achraf Hakimi and Jadon Sancho to name a few.

Who might be next to follow in their foot-steps? bundesliga.com looks at five of the most likely…

Julien Duranville
Age: 18
Position: Winger
Country: Belgium (two caps)

Julien Duranville earned a penalty against Leverkusen, and more goal-involvements looks set to follow. - IMAGO/Bahho Kara

Julien Duranville has racked up a goal, an assist and 14 appearances all told since making his senior Dortmund debut on the final day of the 2022/23 season, and is still four months inside his 19th birthday. An Anderlecht academy graduate, Duranville was handed his senior debut by Vincent Kompany just two weeks after turning 16.

Now a full Belgium international - dashing any hopes DR Congo might have had of capping him - Duranville is a physical specimen, yet one who doesn't have to depend on sheer athleticism such is his skill on the ball - a fine skill set to have, and one that has made comparisons with former BVB stars Sancho and Ousmane Dembélé inevitable.

Almugera Kabar
Age: 18
Position: Left-back
Country: Germany (U19)/Libya

European champion Almugera Kabar already seems unfazed by the big time. - IMAGO/nordphoto GmbH / Christian Schulze

Almugera Kabar was handed his senior debut in October and given his first start amid a defensive injury crisis in January, in a narrow 3-2 loss to champions Bayer Leverkusen.

Formerly a striker on his journey through the academy ranks, Kabar is now firmly a left-back, and one who can defend the back post well given his 5'11" frame, as well as get forward akin the player he acts as understudy to, Ramy Bensebaïni.

Cole Campbell
Age: 18
Position: Winger
Country: USA (U19)/Iceland (U17)

A left-footed right winger, Cole Campbell can operate on either flank, but is at his most dangerous cutting inside on his stronger foot, which was the route to most of his 21 goals and 22 assists for BVB's academy teams.

The Texas-born son of former Iceland women's team forward Rakel Karvelsson, Campbell turned out for his mother's nation at U17 level but changed international allegiance after a chance meeting with former Werder Bremen striker Aron Jóhannsson, who once had the same decision to make. Now Campbell will look to emulate Christian Pulisic at the Signal Iduna Park, and in the USMNT.

Kjell Wätjen
Age: 18
Position: Central midfield
Country: Germany (U17)/Sweden

25.02.2024, Fussball, Saison 2023/2024, A-Junioren Bundesliga, 18. Spieltag, Borussia Dortmund U19- Arminia Bielefeld U19, Kjell Wätjen Borussia Dortmund U19 bejubelt das Tor zum 2:1, Dortmund Trainingsgelände BVB NRW Deutschland xRHR-FOTO/DEx *** 25 02 2024, Football, Season 2023 2024, A Junior Bundesliga, Matchday 18, Borussia Dortmund U19 Arminia Bielefeld U19, Kjell Wätjen Borussia Dortmund U19 celebrates the goal for 2 1, Dortmund training ground BVB NRW Germany xRHR PHOTO DEx Copyright: DennisxEwert/RHR-FOTOx RHR-FOTO/DE - IMAGO/Dennis Ewert/RHR-FOTO

That Kjell Wätjen captained a veritable golden generation of 18-year-olds that also included Paris Brunner and Charles Herrmann for BVB at youth level speaks volumes about his ability. Those three, and the aforementioned Kabar, were part of the Germany U17 team that won the UEFA Under-17 EURO in Hungary in 2023.

Wätjen is a box-to-box midfielder who could now be given a chance to shine with Felix Nmecha having picked up a knee ligament injury that will keep him out for the next few weeks.

Nick Cherny
Age: 17
Position: Midfielder
Country: Germany (U18)/Russia

Nick Cherny still has some physical development to go, but his goalscoring prowess is undeniable. - IMAGO/Patrick Ahlborn

The only one of the five listed here yet to make his Dortmund bow, Nick Cherny is certainly going about it the right way in his ambition to change that.

Undoubtedly the star man of the U19s, Cherny - who remains eligible to play for Germany or Russia - has top scored for his side at that level this season with eight goals and 11 assists from 22 games across all competitions - not bad for a nominal central midfielder!