Waldemar Anton anchors Dortmund defense amid Germany transition
Waldemar Anton has become a key figure in Borussia Dortmund's defense, helping the club keep three clean sheets in its first four Bundesliga matches. With Nico Schlotterbeck injured at the 2026 World Cup and Emre Can also unavailable early on, Anton provided stability and leadership at centre-back. The former Stuttgart defender is now bringing that form into Germany's new setup under Jürgen Klopp.
Anton arrived at Dortmund from Stuttgart in 2024 and has grown into a dependable senior presence. The 30-year-old Germany defender helped BVB open this Bundesliga campaign with three shutouts in four games, including a 1-0 result against his old club. With Schlotterbeck recovering from an ankle injury suffered at the 2026 World Cup and Emre Can also missing early fixtures, Anton provided continuity beside younger centre-backs.
His durability stands out: last season he started all 35 matches across league and cup, while his passing accuracy reached 91 percent. Coach Niko Kovač has highlighted his example-setting leadership, and Jürgen Klopp selected him for October Nations League games against Serbia and Greece.
Anton’s growing role could reassure Dortmund supporters and give Germany fans a steady figure during a coaching transition. His reliability may influence younger defenders learning to handle pressure, while his selection could raise expectations around leadership in the national squad. For casual Bundesliga viewers, the narrative may strengthen recognition of defensive work often overshadowed by goals and transfers.