## Hummels' Season Ratings at Borussia Dortmund: An In-Depth Look
Mats Hummels remains a cornerstone of stability and leadership for Borussia Dortmund, even amidst squad evolution and tactical shifts. His consistent excellence earns high praise year after year in overall seasonal ratings, typically placing him firmly within the top echelons of Bundesliga defenders. Let’s break down the key facets driving these consistently strong scores:
### **Defensive Dominance & Reading the Game**
Central to any rating is his primary job: preventing goals. Here, Hummels excels through supreme positional sense and anticipation. He reads the game incredibly well, frequently snuffing out danger *before* it fully materializes by intercepting passes or making crucial blocks (often ranking among league leaders in both metrics). His tackle success rate is similarly impressive, combining powerful interventions when needed with intelligently timed challenges to avoid fouls. Aerial duels are his domain; few strikers outjump him when defending set-pieces, providing vital protection at critical moments. These quantifiable contributions form the bedrock of his high marks.
### **Leadership, Passing Range & Ball Retention**
Beyond mere stopping power, Hummels elevates play from the back. As Dortmund build attacks patiently from deep under most managers (like Terzic or Rose), his role as ball-playing central defender becomes vital. He initiates buildups with confident, accurate long balls finding wings or forwards, while also linking play short with sharp horizontal or vertical passes through the lines – often acting as an extra midfielder during possession phases. Crucially, he minimizes risky losses, ensuring turnovers don't cheaply gift opponents opportunities. This composure under pressure deserves significant credit in ratings algorithms focused on progressive actions and secure distribution.
### **Mentorship & Experience Value**
Perhaps less captured statistically but highly valued by coaches and pundits is his immense influence inside the dressing room. Guiding younger teammates like Schlotterbeck or new signings settles the entire unit. This intangible leadership quality, fostering confidence and tactical discipline throughout the defense, inevitably translates into fewer mistakes collectively – contributing directly to cleaner sheet totals and higher overall team performance, factors naturally boosting his individual grades.
While advanced stats might occasionally show fractional drops in certain categories compared to peak youth (e.g., explosive speed recovery), his football intelligence more than compensates. Consistently scoring above 7/10 across major platforms like WhoScored or Kicker reflects how his blend of elite defending, intelligent ball progression, and indispensable veteran presence makes him one of Europe's most reliable centre-backs – and why his Borussia Dortmund season ratings remain perennially high. He isn't just good; he's fundamental to their identity.