Schlotterbeck’s future
Departure? World champion expresses concerns
Updated 12/19/2025 – 9:12 a.mReading time: 1 min.
Benedikt Höwedes praises Nico Schlotterbeck for his mentality. Regarding the defender’s future, he has some advice for him.
Benedikt Höwedes gave German national player Nico Schlotterbeck some personal advice. “Borussia Dortmund is a great club for him,” said the 37-year-old in an international media round with a view to the central defender’s possible departure. “When you leave the country and the club where everyone knows you, sometimes that’s good for your further development.” As a player, but also as a person, you can sometimes take “the next step” if you leave “your comfort zone”.
And further: “I wouldn’t say that I advise him to move to another club,” emphasized Höwedes. “But I would say that he should think about it carefully. Then he should make a wise decision for himself.”
The 2014 world champion, who played for Schalke 04, Juventus Turin and Lokomotiv Moscow during his career, highlighted Schlotterbeck’s mentality: “He always wants to get better.” However, the 26-year-old still needs to “improve in some areas”.
Schlotterbeck, who moved from SC Freiburg to BVB in 2022, is under contract until 2027. However, talks about an early extension of his contract have been dragging on for weeks.