Niko Kovač admits Borussia Dortmund lack players with extra skills like Sancho and Haaland.

Niko Kovač has admitted that Borussia Dortmund are currently missing the kind of individual brilliance that once defined the club’s attack.

The Dortmund boss pointed to former stars such as Jadon Sancho, Ousmane Dembélé, and Erling Haaland as examples of players who brought exceptional flair and match-winning ability to the team. He also referenced club legend Marco Reus, noting that players of that calibre provided something special that is not currently present in the squad.

Kovač explained that while the current group is strong and competitive, it lacks that extra spark, those moments of individual brilliance that can decide tight matches.

Despite this, the Croatian coach was quick to defend his squad, stating that he is satisfied with the players at his disposal and believes they are performing well within their capabilities.

🚨 Julian Brandt is out of contract this summer meaning he could soon be available on a free transfer.

This is making his signature very appealing to Barcelona and Arsenal. Both clubs see him as a squad player – someone who can bring a wealth of experience without breaking the… pic.twitter.com/59PjBAug1z

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) March 10, 2026

However, Dortmund’s situation could become even more challenging in the upcoming transfer window. Julian Brandt is expected to leave this summer, removing another experienced and creative presence from the team. There is also uncertainty surrounding several key players, with Serhou Guirassy, Karim Adeyemi, and Nico Schlotterbeck all attracting interest and potentially heading for the exit.

Appointed in January 2025, Kovač remains focused on developing the current squad, but acknowledges that improvements will be necessary if Dortmund are to return to competing at the highest level consistently.