This is talent Göktan Gürpüz from Borussia Dortmund

A year ago, Göktan Gürpüz received a professional contract with Borussia Dortmund. Since then he has been an integral part of the first team. At BVB they trust him to make the leap into the Bundesliga.

Six more days, then the football year 2022 ends for the remaining Borussia Dortmund workforce. Until then, BVB still has an invitation tournament in Bucharest and the Christmas carols in the stadium in front of the chest, which recently fell victim to Corona. After that, vacation until January 2nd is announced.

That should also be necessary for the players not staying at the World Cup. On Thursday they came back from the ten-day Asia tour through Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam, which was primarily a PR measure and second meant pure stress. For this she brought the club 2.5 million euros – and even a few sporting insights, although not of a groundbreaking nature.

In particular, numerous youngsters from the U19 and U23 were able to present themselves there. According to coach Edin Terzic, some managed to do that, think for example Justin Njinmah and Samuel Bamba, who each scored two goals in the friendlies. Or to Göktan Gürpüz.

The 19-year-old midfielder has a decisive advantage over Njinmah, who is on loan from Bremen for the second game, and U19 left winger Bamba: his contract does not expire at the end of the season. The fact that BVB is planning with Gürpüz has been clear for a good year. A week before Christmas, Borussia gave him a professional contract and also extended it with his three-year-old brother Gökdeniz, who plays for Dortmund’s U17s.

BVB: Göktan Gürpüz is still lacking in physique

In 2016, Göktan switched from FC Schalke 04 to BVB’s U15s and jumped up an age group year after year. From 2020 he kicked two seasons for the U19s, since this season he should make the leap into the 3rd division with the U23s. Gürpüz has also been fully integrated into the pros’ training operations since the summer. Four times he was already at the top of the squad.

There are many reasons why it wasn’t enough for more: Gürpüz, who will be 20 in January, is still lacking in physical terms. He’s exceptionally talented on the ball, but he’s kind of a late bloomer, struggling to make the transition from youth to senior football.

Of course, that’s not (yet) a cause for concern: “The feedback from the pros is positive,” said U19 coach Mike Tullberg last year Ruhr news. “It’s very difficult for him – you have to say that. The body will come too. But there’s no question about the potential and the boy will also play in the Bundesliga at some point.”

BVB talent Göktan Gürpüz: His performance data in the 2022/23 season

Göktan Gürpüz from BVB: Those are his strengths

Gürpüz, who was able to book two appearances over 45 minutes as a six on the Asian tour, will hope that the new year will start differently than the current season. That’s when he suffered a setback, an injury slowed him down for several weeks. This is also the reason for the measly playing time in the U23, where he only collected 262 minutes of play in seven games.

Instead, BVB built him up in the usual environment with the U19s, for which he only played in the Youth League. In all six group games, Gürpüz was in the starting XI, mostly as a tenth or eighth player, as under U23 coach Christian Preusser. In the 3: 3 against Manchester City it was Gürpüz’ Dream goal double packwho saved BVB an important point.

With his performances in the U19s, Gürpüz also earned his professional contract. The son of Turkish parents, who was born in Duisburg, was a central part of the team that won the A youth championship last year and made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Youth League. He made 15 goals in 31 competitive games.

The fact that 13 of them were templates for hits outlines Gürpüz’s strengths quite well. The midfield player, who often plays on the wings, impresses with his game intelligence, good dribbling and excellent technique. Gürpüz is not the fastest, but creates momentum on the ball, is fast and difficult to separate from the ball even in tight spaces. He also has a good eye for his teammates when passing.

BVB trusts Göktan Gürpüz to make the leap up

At BVB, he is believed to be capable of a development similar to Jamie Bynoe-Gittens or Tom Rothe and one day also be a real option for the pros. An advantage on the way there is certainly his certain flexibility in the midfield positions. Gürpüz acts very agile and vertical, which could give him a perspective as a pressing and connecting player on the offensive.

After eight appearances for the German U19 national team, Gürpüz has now opted for Turkey’s U21, for whom he made his debut in mid-November. The appointment is another milestone in Gürpüz’ development after he made the necessary leap in Dortmund’s U19 – also in his personality.

“The more he can play with good footballers, the more he will be able to use his strengths,” said youth director Lars Ricken. The appearances on the Asian tour support this statement, but nothing more. In the new year he has to show in the 3rd division that he can also play a responsible role in central midfield in senior football and develop robustness and tolerance for frustration. Because Gürpüz still has this most important step to fulfill Tullberg’s prognosis from the Bundesliga.

BVB talent Göktan Gürpüz in profile