On Tuesday, a report from Kicker confirmed that Adrian Ramos’ move from Borussia Dortmund to Chinese Super League club Chongqing Lifan is all but confirmed. The Colombian will join for €12 million, whilst spending the next six-months on loan at Spanish side Granada.
But, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang currently at the African Cup of Nations and no real cover going forward for Dortmund, it’s not really a move that makes sense. Yet.
Marco Reus isn’t able to hold down a position given his injury record, whilst Andre Schürrle is nowhere near as consistent enough, as put by Deutsche Welle journalist, Stefan Bienkowski. Which is no doubt true.
We’ve seen Mario Götze play the false nine for Germany, but this isn’t the time for Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel to test different formations out given that they’re currently down in sixth and in need of points.
“I would have liked to keep him, and regret it,” said Tuchel. “Adrian expressed his desire to leave. It’s different being the No. 2 striker at his age than at a younger age. With a heavy heart, we’ve accepted his wish, but his decision for more playing time is understandable. Auba will come back soon, and he’s our starter. We’ll have further options until then. It’s not like we have an idea about that right now [speaking about replacements]. To allow Adrian a transfer was an isolated decision.”
With no real targets out there for Borussia Dortmund and with time running out in this window, surely it would have been better for Ramos to depart the Bundesliga club in summer, as opposed to now. Especially when relying on Aubameyang to remain fit for another six months, without a niggle, is a big ask.
Spending six months on loan in Spain at this stage of his career just doesn’t make sense, despite Granada being under the same ownership as the Chinese club. Settled in Germany and in-particular Dortmund, the 31-year-old should remain at the Bundesliga club for the next six-months, and move to China in the summer. Especially given the fact that Tuchel needs Ramos now more than ever given the lack-of-depth in central striking positions.
By Daniel Pinder.
