After a season without a title, the calls for a major change in personnel are getting louder in the Borussia Dortmund environment. Two stimulus figures in this context are captain Marco Reus and defense boss Mats Hummels, where opinions differ. Should BVB stick with the two veterans or let them go?
Anyone who has followed the headlines about Marco Reus and Mats Hummels since the beginning of the year could easily come to the conclusion that the two long-time leaders in Dortmund are only in the way. Three DFB legends recently questioned the BVB duo.
It all started with Lothar Matthäus, who stated on “Sky90” in mid-February that the Westphalians were missing “a real leader”. “The leading players have to deal with themselves. Mats Hummels is often injured, Marco Reus struggles with himself and has no consistency. And such players should then lead the team? Very difficult,” the 61-year-old rumbled.
At least at Reus, Felix Magath, now interim coach at Hertha BSC, agreed with the record national player. He was “amazed” at how the team captain was perceived in public, said the former head coach of FC Bayern. “If something was wrong with international matches, he wasn’t there. He won the cup twice at Borussia Dortmund. But I don’t know if that’s the benchmark for a top player,” Magath explained his perspective.
Mario Basler, on the other hand, didn’t leave a good hair on Hummels recently. Regarding national coach Hansi Flick’s decision not to nominate the defender for the international matches against Israel and the Netherlands, the 1996 European champion said in a “double pass”: “I’m far from bringing him back. I believe that Mats’ time will be international It’s over. You shouldn’t insist that he’s coming back. You’ve decided that he won’t be there anymore.”
As polemical as the critics’ remarks may appear, they hit a sore point. Because: Reus and Hummels are – not least because of their susceptibility to injury – no longer undisputed among many Borussia fans and experts. Some would even approve of an early farewell to the professionals who are only tied up until the summer of 2023.
BVB: Hummels and the two sides of the coin
But can two such experienced players, who have already impressed this season, really be replaced so easily?
Hummels, who is regularly accused of his speed deficits, has played 30 games in all competitions. 18 of them were won, eight more lost, four times the encounters remained without a winner. Not an outstanding rate, but not a catastrophic one either.
Especially since a player is only responsible for a defeat in the rarest of cases. Nevertheless, Hummels often got caught in the crossfire after setbacks, and even the backing of coach Marco Rose didn’t help.
Now it cannot be denied that Hummels has lost some vitality, not only for reasons of age, but also for reasons of injury. The knees cause new problems for the 33-year-old every few weeks.
Mats Hummels keeps struggling with injuries
In terms of football, Hummels is nevertheless beyond any doubt. No other central defensive player in Borussia has comparable qualities in play structure.
In this respect, a separation after the season for the BVB bosses would also be associated with a risk, because a replacement would definitely be expensive. Apart from the fact that no indications have been made from official circles that could indicate a premature end to Hummels’ second Dortmund episode.
Reus’ values at BVB are still extraordinary
Marco Reus is not one bit worse internally. No wonder: 349 competitive games, 153 goals (the second most in BVB history), 108 assists – the record of the offensive all-rounder in the Borussia jersey is extraordinary. In the current season, the native of Dortmund has collected 13 goals and 13 assists in 34 appearances. But his working paper also ends in 2023.
Reus himself emphasized just a few weeks ago that he would like to extend it again. “I’ve already extended my contract twice, especially at times when things weren’t going particularly well in sporting terms. So why shouldn’t I do it now?” the 32-year-old told “Bild am Sonntag”. He would like to end his career in Dortmund.
Despite all this, the situation is not as clear as it might seem at first glance, after all, Reus repeatedly pays tribute to the strains of his professional career. In addition to multiple forced breaks that throw him out of rhythm, the accusation that he dives too often in important duels weighs heavily on the team leader.
Critics say that the national player’s achievements no longer justify his lavish salary (allegedly more than ten million euros pa). In the event of an extension, Reus would actually have to accept losses.
On the other hand, there is the extremely high opinion that the players and staff seem to have of the veteran – at least if you can believe the interviews and social media profiles. Young and old colleagues alike praise him to the skies, from Jude Bellingham to Axel Witsel to Erling Haaland.
BVB before trend-setting negotiations
Both Hummels and Reus should now decide how they see their role at BVB in the coming years in the forthcoming negotiations with sports director Michael Zorc and Co. If both insist on a regular place guarantee without any loss of salary, their time in black and yellow could possibly end.
Basically speaking in both cases, however, there is more to stay in Dortmund – with or without an extension. After all, the two executives at Borussia still feel comfortable, according to their own statements, and in turn enjoy the highest esteem from their bosses.
And Matthäus and Co. have to acknowledge that there are still no players in the Westphalia squad that would make Marco Reus and Mats Hummels redundant.
Heiko Lütkehus