by Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Sept 24 (Xinhua) -- Borussia Dortmund's recent success is closely linked to the significant changes in Karim Adeyemi's sporting life.
Ahead of the Black and Yellow's weekend challenge in Mainz, the 23-year-old is on everyone's mind for various reasons, sparking hopes from his club coach Niko Kovac and the German national coach Julian Nagelsmann.
The nine-time capped player is the face of BVB's recent wins after scoring the winning goal against Wolfsburg. Ten points after four matches represent BVB's best season start in eight years.
His shot speed of 125.82 kilometers per hour and an unprecedented fair-play action made the Munich-born son of a Nigerian father and a Romanian mother dominate the headlines.
The German international by choice kicked the ball out to allow treatment for a Wolfsburg player, earning praise from referee Daniel Siebert, who noted in his game review: "Great action. With pleasure more of that, dear professionals."
Dortmund coach Kovac, meanwhile, is pleased with his strikers' change, saying, "I told him, Karim, you are a wonderful striker, but you have to do some work for the defense."
Following the advice, the former problem kid stabilized his performance, surpassing team competitors like Jobe Bellingham, Julian Brandt, and Carney Chukwuemeka.
The doubtful reputation of being a diver seems to have vanished, while the forward is on his way to a "more mature" performer, as Kovac put it.
Rising figures in red-zone sprints and passing on target come along with tongue-in-cheek reports about his growing consumption of broccoli.
It might be my wife, Loredana, and her cooking skills. As a matter of fact, broccoli is a vital part of my nutrition," Adeyemi said with a wink.
In fact, current changes have replaced previous judgments, and periods of constant injury breaks seem to be a thing of the past.
"I feel the growing trust of my coach and teammates," the attacker said after earning four scoring points in the recent three games.
It's more than a bold guess that the winger is returning to the German team, as Nagelsmann desperately needs game changers to lift the spirits of the struggling national team.
Reports show that the German coach carefully examined the BVB striker's actions before the international matches in October and November.
Following the recent upswing, Dortmund started contract extension talks with the player's management, while the striker said that he plans to continue his successful journey.
Having declined a Napoli offer worth up to a reported 50 million euros last winter, the rookie became BVB's most valuable player with an estimated market value of 45 million euros.
Only spearhead Serhou Guirassy is ranked at a similar level.
Sporting director Sebastian Kehl called him "the best Adeyemi we have seen," while Kovac's lesson through a spot on the bench has shown an effect. ■
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