HARRY KANE may be the Englishman most fans focus on when German football’s biggest rivalry is rekindled on Saturday night.
But as far as Borussia Dortmund supporters are concerned, Jamie Gittens deserves all the attention.
The winger from Reading was 17 when he walked out on Manchester City to join Dortmund in 2020, following Jude Bellingham and Jadon Sancho’s Bundesliga footsteps.
Now, the 20-year-old is a vital cog in new coach Nuri Sahin’s side, with four Champions League goals so far — including one against Real Madrid and Wednesday’s stunner at Dinamo Zagreb.
Dortmund legend Karl-Heinz Riedle feels Gittens can shine in Der Klassiker against Bayern Munich.
Ex-Liverpool striker Riedle, 59, said: “Jamie is still not 100 per cent what we expect from a world-class player — but he has all the talent to become one of those.
“He can become the next Sancho, Erling Haaland or Bellingham.
“He is very quick, very good in a one-against-one situation and with the ability to finish as well.
“I see a young player who has the full package, plus he is someone who I see working on how to make himself better.
“And that comes from games — the more you play, the more you learn, the better your decision-making and better you become.
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“The most important thing is you have to be quick, to not be afraid of going one- on-one against a defender. That’s what we want to see.
“It was why Sancho and Haaland brought people to the stadium.
“Fans wanted to see them do that and it’s there with Jamie as well.”
Gittens — who dropped the “Bynoe” in his double-barrelled surname at the start of the season — has played for every England team from Under-15 to U21.
That includes tasting 2022 European U19 Championship glory.
Now he aims to make the final step to the senior ranks — and Thomas Tuchel’s appointment as new Three Lions boss could speed that up.
Riedle suspects Gittens will not be the last English rookie to see the Ruhr-based club as a stepping stone.
He explained: “Dortmund is a family. The guys who come to us know we have everything here to let them become the best players they can be.
“They can get a chance to play at the top level but maybe with less pressure than in England at football clubs such as Manchester United and City.
“We give them the time to grow into players and be something special.
“Jamie is an incredible talent and can make the same impression — if not a bigger one – as Jude and Jadon made before him.”
Striker Kane has hit 50 Bundesliga goals in 43 games — the fastest pace ever.
Despite this and Munich’s unbeaten domestic start, the England skipper was criticised by ex-Bayern and Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann for not scoring in the “big” games.
Riedle, though, thinks Hamann is talking rubbish.
He said: “Didi criticised him even though he scored like crazy last year — and I’m not with him at all.
“Harry’s just a fantastic finisher and fantastic football player.
“No player can score every game or every chance. He has done very well for Munich and is incredible.
“He just wants to play football. He loves the game. He is such a humble guy who likes to play and score and wants to win things.”
- KARL-HEINZ RIEDLE was speaking to mark the ten-year anniversary of Borussia Dortmund’s long-term investment in Singapore.
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