Zagadou joined Borussia Dortmund from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2017, and has since made over 60 appearances for the club. Despite his size, Zagadou is deceptively quick and agile, allowing him to keep up with some of the fastest attackers in the league. He’s also an excellent ball-winner, boasting an impressive 73% success rate in duels last season.
One of the most striking aspects of Zagadou’s play is his ability to read the game. Despite his youth, the Frenchman is constantly scanning the field and anticipating his opponents’ next move. He’s especially strong at cutting out passing lanes, using his size and positioning to intercept balls before they can reach their intended target. This helps to break up opposition attacks and maintain possession for his team.
In addition to his defensive prowess, Zagadou is also a threat going forward. He’s a strong passer and is very comfortable carrying the ball out from the back. This helps Dortmund to quickly transition from defense to attack, catching opposition teams off guard with fast and incisive counter-attacks. His height also makes him a dangerous target for set pieces, and he’s already scored four goals for Dortmund in his young career.
Despite his impressive performances, Zagadou is still developing as a player. He’s occasionally prone to lapses in concentration, and can be caught out of position if he gambles too heavily on challenging for the ball. However, these are minor issues that are likely to improve with experience. Dortmund manager Lucien Favre has done an excellent job of nurturing Zagadou’s talents, and the young defender looks set to develop into one of the best center-backs in Europe over the coming years.
One of the key reasons for Zagadou’s success has been his close relationship with his center-back partner Mats Hummels. The experienced German international provides guidance and leadership, helping Zagadou to develop his game and overcome any obstacles he faces. The two defenders have struck up an excellent understanding on the pitch, with Hummels often taking on more of a leadership role while Zagadou works to hone his skills and develop his game.
Overall, Dan-Axel Zagadou is an exciting and highly promising player who looks set to have a bright future in the game. His combination of size, athleticism and footballing intelligence make him a formidable defender, while his technical ability and passing range are sure to help him develop into a more complete player. Borussia Dortmund fans will be excited to see how Zagadou’s career progresses in the coming years, and the young Frenchman is likely to remain a key fixture in Lucien Favre’s side for some time to come.