Jamie Gittens is finally ready to be Dortmund's next big star

The English winger is single-handedly winning points for Nuri Sahin's side this season, with or without the help of his misfiring team mates.

Amidst another dull and disappointing away game from Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, a spark of excitement leapt into existence deep within the depths of Borussia Park. With around 30 minutes left on the clock, 20-year-old winger Jamie Gittens collected the ball on the left wing and with the youthful bravado we’ve all come to expect from Dortmund prodigies, the English winger decided to try his luck against what until that point had been a resolute and impressively stubborn Borussia Mönchengladbach defence.

Like a world-class poker player with the perfect hand, Gittens stepped forward with the ball. He dared the backtracking Franck Honorat and Joe Scally to unravel his increasingly baffling step-overs and drops of the shoulder. After advancing by about 15 feet and now well within Gladbach’s box, the Dortmund forward then pulled the trigger and cut inside on a bewildered Honorat. Before the Gladbach defence knew what was happening the ball had smashed off the inside of the crossbar and into the back of the net.

Although the goal itself was a remarkable bit of skill, the manner in which it came about wasn’t entirely surprising. Since the start of this season, Gittens has made a habit of seemingly plucking goals out of thin air. While some players only do well when their team is in full flight, Gittens seems to thrive when Dortmund look incapable of scoring. Like the opening goal against Bayern Munich two weeks ago or his brace in the 2-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt at the start of the season, the young winger is increasingly showing a capacity to turn games on their head all by himself with incredible acts of individual brilliance. And with each goal or assist, he seems determined to drag Nuri Sahin’s team along with him on the ride. Whether they deserve it or not.