From summer on overtaking on the right will be allowed again!

Apart from the action on the pitch and financial concerns Michael Zorc and the scouting division are working in the background on the new face of our beloved Borussia. Their first catch was hooked in Swiss city of Basle. From summer on at latest Philipp Degen will be an alternative at least on The right-back position.


When the Degen transfer was announced some weeks on BVB’s homepage, there were speculations about a possible transfer of the Basle boy for several weeks already. 9 days before the announcement then things moved pretty fast when FC Basle officially announced that Philipp would leave the club next summer at latest. Some days later Michael Zorc finally agreed on a deal with the player after 2 months of negotiations and an even longer time of scouting.
The young Basle player, who has an uniovular brother called David at FC, is a modern type of right-back. Through his incredible speed he often initiates attacks and is hard to stop in his dynamic runs. Regrettably the right-footed Swiss is sometimes to much focussed on his own game, thus going into too many duels or keeping the ball by himself too long. But the supporters of BVB can be full of pleasant anticipation as the Swiss U21 national plays perfect high crosses. At FC Basle these cut-ins lead to some goals. By the way this is a point where Borussia have problems since years. As a defender he is at all not the one to score but at least he knows where the opponent’s goal is. Last season he hit the net 3 times. Philipp has a great endurance but still lacks the ability to find a balance between offence and defence. So there are sometimes holes on the right side of FC Basle’s defence. Surely an ability that can be improved with proper tactical training and experience. But when the future Swiss A-national player keeps his position he is hard to overcome as he is athletic, very physical and doesn’t mind playing hard duels. Regarding heading, offensive as defensive, Philipp has advantages due to his tallness – surely not a bad thing for set pieces.
Still he is sometimes to much into it and gets in trouble with the referee. Though that shows that he gives everything but he should take care that he doesn’t mess up with the German referees too quick.
Off the pitch some supporters had the impression that Degen is vain or even arrogant. Those who really know the Oberdorf-born player say that this impression is just due to a natural dread and aloofness and disagree that Philipp is one of the arrogant youngsters. Nevertheless Philipp has a solid self-confidence. But what Basle’s fans makes really angry is that Degen some months ago gave vice-president Gigi Oeri and coach Christian Gross his word that he would sign a new contract at the Swiss top club. At the latest as he received BVB’s (probably better) offer, Basle wasn’t a topic anymore. Though there were no concrete contract details defined yet, this will leave a bitter aftertaste. Oeri and Gross are really upset to see a young home-grown talent leave the club for free. Maybe that is the price FC Basle has to pay for the successes during the last years.

Furthermore Degen is a solid boy, who isn’t known for alcoholic excesses and absolutely doesn’t smoke. Contrary he has no problem to make extra exercises voluntarily if necessary. An attitude some BVB players could learn of.


Philipp Degen - data base Born: 15.02.1983
Heigth: 184 cm
Weigth: 81 kg
Nationality: Schweiz
Position: r. Außenverteidiger
First club: FC Oberdorf
At FCB since: 1996

- League (M/G) Inter. (M/G) 01/02 3 0 1 0 02/03 16 0 1 0 03/04 30 3 4 0 04/05 13 0 5 0 (date: 07.11.2004)

With Philipp Degen BVB has done a step into the right direction. Giving up on Niebaum’s motto “We need a player for a certain position? Let’s have a look what big names the international transfer market offers” and turning towards young talents that are affordable and have already some match experience. Both points match to the young Swiss. Even considering that Degen earns about 650.000 Euro a year, according to media news, he is still a low-budget player compared to BVB’s millionaires. There is still a slight chance that Degen will join Borussia’s squad after the winter break already. Though he has a contract with FCB valid till 30.06.2005, but news from Switzerland are that the player could be transferred earlier if the money is right. Speculations are that Basle want 200.000-400.000 Euro. The player himself on the one hand wants to play the return leg with Basle and win the national league title and national cup but on the other hand wants as soon as possible play in front of 83.000 in Westfalenstadion (and as soon as possible earn more money).

Surely a player that turns 22 years next summer won’t be the answer to all of BVB’s problems. But even if you consider that the Swiss “Supper League” isn’t as strong as the German Bundesliga, you have to realise the fact that Basle is superior in this league and have international class, so that we can joyfully look forward that Borussia Dortmund signed this hopeful talent.

Last but not least we just have to say the words we say to every player that puts on the “schwatzgelb” jersey:


Welcome to Dortmund, Philipp!





Geschrieben von jonam