Can Mahmoud Dahoud Propel Stuttgart to Champions League Glory?

Overview

Mamoud Dahoud joins Deniz Undav in making the move from Brighton and Hove Albion to VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga on loan.

Having only started six Premier League games, Dahoud has rejoined the German top-flight in order to help propel one of Germany's new top sides to Europe's mainstage.

Profile

Mamoud Dahoud plays as either a defensive midfielder or a central midfielder and often sits as a deep-lying playmaker who sets the tempo within the squad.

Playing for Borussia Dortmund for six years from 2017 until 2023, Dahoud played largely as a backup midfielder throughout his career at the club.

Despite this, his most successful streak of form in club football in recent times ultimately came under Edin Terzić in 2021 and during the sole season under Marco Rose in the 2021-22 Bundesliga campaign.

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Under Marco Rose, Dahoud took a deeper role within the lineup and alongside Axel Witsel he allowed players like Jude Bellingham and Julian Brandt to push forward whilst holding the defensive shape.

Providing 1.9 tackles per game under Rose, Dahoud managed to become a key negator for any counter-attacks whilst playing as the deepest midfielder.

Whilst doing this, Mahmoud Dahoud was allowed to become a key pivot in the starting phase of attacks as he completed the second-most dribbles per game of the entire Borussia Dortmund squad (of those that completed five or more Bundesliga games).

Despite not being the most progressive player, Mahmoud Dahoud was relied on at Borussia Dortmund to be the player who would provide the key final passes as he completed 1.3 per game that season.

Now twenty-eight-years-old, it would be sensible to suggest that VfB Stuttgart (under Sebastian Hoeneß) will deploy him in the same role as Angelo Stiller in that he sits deep and allows Enzo Millot push forward.

Where Does Mahmoud Dahoud Fit in the  VfB Stuttgart lineup?

In terms of his role, it seems like Sebastian Hoeneß will deploy him in a two or three-man midfield with Enzo Millot as his main midfield partner.

Sebastian Hoeneß may also choose to play Mahmoud Dahoud in a three-man midfield alongside Angelo Stiller and Enzo Millot and in this case, he would be given more attacking freedom and creative freedom alongside the ability to roam forward and create chances for both Deniz Undav and Serhou Guirassy.

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See Below: VfB Stuttgart lineup with Mahmoud Dahoud's role