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Goal machine Batshuayi proves both curse and blessing for Dortmund

Michy Batshuayi is both a curse and a blessing for Borussia Dortmund. While the Belgian striker makes the German football…

Goal machine Batshuayi proves both curse and blessing for Dortmund

Dortmund's Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi (Photo Credit-AFP)

Michy Batshuayi is both a curse and a blessing for Borussia Dortmund. While the Belgian striker makes the German football club happy with his tremendous record of five goals in three games, this stunning success will most likely lead to his immediate farewell in only a few months.

Thousands of fans quickly fell in love with him after the 24-year-old joined the club on loan from Chelsea FC in the German winter break to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who left for Arsenal, reports Xinhua news agency.

Having been paid 1.5 million euro ($1.86 million), the striker turned out to be a real bargain for the Westphalians. But he will most likely cause broken hearts among fans and club officials shortly as Chelsea have agreed on the loan deal but rejected a buying option demanded by Dortmund.

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Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke said the club is aware that every goal is making the Congolese-rooted forward more expensive, as Chelsea are keen to take him back to London. “We tried everything to get a buying option, but a no of Roman Abramovich obviously means no,” Watzke commented.

The 58-year-old called the surprising success of Batshuayi in Dortmund “still a lucky story for us” adding that “everyone has the feeling he has been with us for a long time”.

Watzke said Batshuayi is exceptionally comfortable with the team and fully integrated into the squad. Watzke announced Dortmund would make every effort to sign Batshuayi for good next summer. “There is always a chance, but we know we will have to face powerful competitors,” Watzke emphasized.

Batshuayi confirmed his ambitions regarding the Belgian World Cup squad and said he is not thinking about the time after the World Cup. It is yet to be decided if he will return to Chelsea after the season.

While Batshuayi’s future in Dortmund remains uncertain, the on-loan-striker already made the side forget about his predecessor Aubameyang. The Gabon forward joined Arsenal after a 63.5 million euro (around $79 million) deal having caused trouble before; he is said to have blackmailed the club to allow him to leave. Aubameyang had scored 141 goals in 213 games for Dortmund.

Coach Peter Stoeger praised Batshuayi’s attitude and at the same time indicated Aubameyang’s working ethics were not the best, at least during his last months in Dortmund. “As you can see he likes to play here and he wants to prove himself,” the Austrian-born coach said after Batshuayi’s two goals against Italian side Atlanta Bergamo in the Euro League.

In his first two Bundesliga games, the 1.85-meter tall striker scored twice against Cologne and once against Hamburg.

Stoeger said it is evident that Batshuayi is highly motivated as he is trying to qualify for the Belgian 2018 World Cup squad. 2014 World Champion and Dortmund midfielder Mario Goetze said Batshuayi has excellent qualities as “he is moving quickly, has instinct and he is scoring. Enough reason’s to be happy with him.”

The spearheading forward left Chelsea after he lost the race for a starting place in the squad against competitors such as Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud as the French international joining in from Arsenal.

After his goals number four and five against Atalanta BC in the Europa League, the Berlin-based “Die Welt” called Batshuayi Dortmund’s new goal machine and mentioned he scores every 54 minutes on average.

Now Dortmund hopes for more of his goals, and at the same time fears the prospect of losing this successful striker.

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