Nwaneri reveals what Bellingham told him before Borussia Dortmund move
Ethan Nwaneri has revealed that Jobe Bellingham encouraged him to join Borussia Dortmund during the final days of the summer transfer window.
The Arsenal youngster completed a season-long loan move to Dortmund on deadline day after the Bundesliga club accelerated their pursuit of the 19-year-old.
Speaking in his first interview since the transfer, Nwaneri explained that he remained in regular contact with Bellingham while uncertainty surrounded his future.
“I was speaking with Jobe a bit the last few days,” Nwaneri said. “He was asking what was going on and I told him I’m not sure right now as well, but we were speaking a lot and he was always encouraging me to come.”
The pair already know each other from England’s youth setup and will now compete together in Germany as Dortmund look to develop two of the country’s highest-rated young midfielders.
Nwaneri also revealed how quickly his transfer progressed once Dortmund formalised their interest.
The Hale End graduate described deadline day as “hectic”, but said advanced discussions began within hours of his initial meeting with the German club.
“As soon as I had the interest and I had the meeting, things developed extremely fast,” he added. “As soon as I heard of the interest, I was ready to go.”
It represents Nwaneri’s second spell outside England after he spent the second half of last season on loan at Marseille.
That experience appears to have influenced his willingness to leave Arsenal again, with Nwaneri admitting his first move abroad pushed him outside his comfort zone.
He now feels “mentally prepared” for living in another country and believes adjusting to Germany should consequently be easier.
Nwaneri also offered an interesting insight into how he views his best position after being deployed both centrally and from the right during his Arsenal career.
Rather than identifying one preferred role, he said he is comfortable playing “anywhere across the front four” because he wants to operate close to goal and remain heavily involved in attacks.
That versatility could increase his opportunities at Dortmund as he attempts to establish himself in their starting XI.
Nwaneri has also avoided setting statistical targets for the campaign, instead identifying earning his place and giving everything for Dortmund supporters as his immediate priorities.
For Arsenal, the loan provides another important stage in the development of one of Hale End’s most highly regarded graduates, with Nwaneri expected back in north London next summer.
The post Nwaneri reveals what Bellingham told him before Borussia Dortmund move first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.
