Jürgen Klopp has weaved his magic with BVB for over six years now and almost without fail, he has always managed to pick out a diamond from the rough. Whether it be finding Robert Lewandowski at Lech Poznan and his move to Blackburn breaking down due to an ash cloud, or signing Lucas Barrios from Colo Colo and Shinji Kagawa from Cerezo Osaka, Klopp has always seemed to defy the odds when buying a player and managed to turn them into a real gem. With Dortmund's fabled youth system at his disposal and with Borussia Dortmund II being in the 3.Liga, the joint highest ranked second side of any Bundesliga or 2.Bundesliga team, their youngsters have the perfect platform to perform. Despite this, Klopp hasn't promoted from within as much as many may have liked. Not counting the two-nil win over Saarbrucken in the DFB Pokal, only four of Dortmund's young guns have got a real crack at first team action. Marvin Ducksch, Marian Sarr, Jonas Hofmann and Erik Durm are the four that have had their chances with the first team, not with enough regularity in some people's opinion.
Nineteen year old Marvin Ducksch has only featured four times for the first eleven this year, and three of those were subsitute appearances. The young German striker is another of the gem's that Dortmund have unearthed. His only start came in the one-one draw with Nürnberg and he did not look one bit out of place on his Bundesliga debut, despite not getting a goal, he regularly caused trouble to the Bavarian's defence and Manuel Schäfer had to be alert more than once to deny him a goal. His stature and style of play have naturally drawn comparisions to Robert Lewandowski. Ducksch stands at 6ft 2", so he's no pushover for any defender and it showed as the Nünberg defenders were always wary of his prescence. Despite sitting on the bench most of the season, when called upon by BVB II, he's scored goals for fun. He's netted thirteen goals for a struggling Dortmund side as they hover above the relegation zone in the 3.Liga. While it's either Julian Schieber or Ducksch playing second fiddle to Robert Lewandowski, it's clear to see that the latter should be getting more game time. With Schieber normally coming on with Dortmund needing a goal, and consistently contriving to miss the easiest of opportunites to provide that goal, it's the majority of people's opinion that it should be Ducksch trying to find the net, rather than a hapless Schieber. Ducksch has indeed proven he can score, finding a way past the keeper on his BVB debut against Whilemshaven in the DFB Pokal, it looks like Schieber's time is ticking away, as Ducksch looks set to become a real star.
Marian Sarr, like his BVB II compatriot Ducksch, is also nineteen years old and stands at 6ft 2". The towering young centre-half was signed from Leverkusen, and his made both his professional first, and second team debuts for Dortmund this season. His debut couldn't have came at a more strenuous time for Borussia Dortmund, as they took on Marseille in a must win game to ensure qualification for the last sixteen of the Champions League. BVB came out victors after Kevin Großkreutz managed to find the net in the eighty-ninth minute, the youngster didn't look at all out of place within a side of national team regulars. After a two-two draw away at Hoffenheim, Sarr made a fatal mistake to let Sami Allagui score the winner for Hertha and eas subsequentally subbed off at the break. This was seen as harsh by many, as Dortmund struggled to cobble together even the most makeshift of defences, it certainly won't have done his confidence much good. However, as the defensive crisis shows now sign of letting up, it's inevitable that young Marian Sarr will get another chance. Rightly so, as he has all of the qualities that a great centre-back requires.
Another of Dortmund's starlets is Erik Durm. The twenty-one year old came in this year after injruy to Marcel Schmelzer and has been a more than apt replacement. A bresh of fresh air down BVB's left hand-side, the youngster made an immediate impact, bring a much needed defensive partner for Marco Reus down the left-hand side. Since then, Durm has been the epitome of consistency, playing almost the entirety of the Hinrunde from the Nürnberg game onwards in a calm and solid fashion, something die Schwarz-gelb have needed during their defensive duldrums. As good going forward as he is going back, Durm has been one of the bright sparks this year and his attacking combined with Reus down the left has been a source of comfort for Borussia Dortmund fans. Combining tirless running with an accurate pass and an enterprising style of play, Durm has earned many plaudits this term. However, since the turn of the year, Marcel Scmelzer has retained his starting spot. Much to the dismay of many, especially after some below par performances, they have called for the return of Durm to the starting eleven and after returning from injury and the Champions League starting back again, Klopp could call upon him once again.
Last but not least is Dortmund's sports person of the year, Jonas Hofmann. 'Hoffi' as he is sometimes known, is small in stature, but in terms of impact, there is no underestimating his effect on the team. Despite playing twenty-three games, the twenty-one year old creative midfielder has only got 468 minutes in total, failing to start a single game. However, he has been a creative bright spark for Dortmund, creating a chance every twenty minutes, notching up three assists and scoring twice. His finest hour coming when he was subbed on against Eintracht Braunschweig, with the home side struggling for a spark Hofmann scored and set-up the penalty which won Dortmund the game, showing his real creativity and flair as he did so. Klopp seems reluctant to give him a start, this despite Reus being injured and Dortmund sometimes lacking in attacking creativity, it seems that Hofmann will be lucky to get a start anytime soon. Even with BVB in the Champions League, DFB Pokal and trying to earn second place in the Bundesliga, that elusive start seems only likely if there is an injury crisis to the attacking players. It's a great pity in most fans opinions, as Hofmann struggles for game time, another performance like the game Braunschweig may be needed to give Klopp some gentle persuasion.
All in all, it would be best for Klopp to gradually introduce his young guns as the season progresses, especially once automatic Champions League qualification is secured. Both Durm and Hofmann should have guaranteed game time in abundance if Dortmund achieve their goals. Durm has the potential to overtake Schmelzer already, as he could be a big part of BVB's future. Ducksch and Sarr should be introduced at a slower pace, despite Dortmund's need to find a replacement for Robert Lewandowski, too big a burden can not be placed on young Ducksch too soon. Although it is necessary for him to get some minutes while Lewandowski is still at the club, as he'll not find a better mentor for how he should play. As for Sarr, the same could be said for Hummels or Subotic, who could be just as important to his development.