Ethan Nwaneri completed a loan move to Borussia Dortmund from Arsenal during this summer's transfer window after the Nigerian had spent the second half of last season on loan with Marseille in Ligue 1.
The young English attacker's season-long loan move was secured after new signing Giannis Konstantelias sustained a serious knee injury in Dortmund's Bundesliga opener against Hamburg SV, a match they won 2-0, with Konstantelias scoring their second goal.
"Given Konstantelias's extended absence, it was important for us to be able to strengthen our roster at short notice. For us, signing Ethan was the best possible solution from a sporting perspective. He's a very talented and technically gifted midfielder," Dortmund managing director Lars Ricken had confirmed after the loan deal was made official.
Words With Jobe Ahead Of The Loan Move
Nwaneri confirmed that, ahead of his season-long loan deal from Arsenal being finalized, he had been in touch with Dortmund's Jobe Bellingham. Jude's younger brother was eager for Nwaneri to join Die Schwarzgelben, knowing that he could make an impact for the club. Of course, the two know each other well from England's youth national teams, where they have played alongside one another before.
Nwaneri recalled his conversation with Bellingham earlier this week:
"I’ve been speaking to Jobe over the last few days. He asked, ‘What’s going on with you?’ And I told him I can’t really say for sure yet either. But we had a long chat. And he kept saying the whole time that I should come to BVB. I’m glad we’ll be playing side by side now."
Versatility In Attack
As for where exactly Niko Kovac will most often use Nwaneri, it will be decided based on where he needs him most. In the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup loss to Bayern Munich, Konstantelias had come on in the second half and played on the left flank for Samuele Inácio, and the Greek winger also started on the left wing for the win over Hamburg.
That would seem to suggest Nwaneri will get a decent amount of looks from that side while Konstantelias faces his lengthy injury layover.
Regardless, Nwaneri has stressed that he'll play anywhere in attack, as he just likes being in and around goal and involved in the attacking buildup play:
"My favourite position… I think any of the four attacking positions suit me. The main thing is to be somewhere in attack, with the goal close by. I like being close to the goal. I like being part of the build-up play. Whether on the wings or in the centre. I don’t think there’s one position I prefer over the others. I really enjoy playing in any of these attacking positions and I’m looking forward to it," Nwaneri stressed.
Whether he starts getting minutes right away or it takes him a little while to integrate into the team and start to get chances, Nwaneri is ready and eager to fight for his place in the team. "I’m here and I’ll fight for my place in the team. I’ll give it my all – as much and as well as I possibly can – for the fans. We’ll see what comes of it. I’m ready to fight and to put the team first," he said.
