He finally did it. After transfer window, after transfer window; rotting on the bench, where people almost forgot about what relevance he had to German football, Mario finally made the critical decision in an attempt to save his flailing career.
Boy took those talents back to where it all started. As he tweeted, this is a "reset" for him, to start back at square one and try to put things right again. The move makes sense, it's what I advised him to do rather than rejoining with his blonde, spectacle-wearing confidante at Liverpool; but something in the back of my mind has me thinking this may be too late.
Let's look at the positives to begin with. Götze needs Dortmund, and Dortmund need him. They both require each other if they want some success this season. Götze's career needs a jumpstart as he's not had one good season for Bayern in all the years he's been there and he fired a series of blanks for Germany at the Euros.
Dortmund are the team that love giving away all their presents, because they're nice like that. So what did the yellow and black Santa give away this year? The triple threat dose of Hummels, Mkhitaryan and Gundogan. So, Dortmund need to replace those players. They won't, because those are three of the very best in their position. But Götze is a good start to at least put a finger on the wound so the bleeding doesn't stain the carpet too much.
Now can we get to the bad stuff? I know I call myself Have Hope, but the name is an irony and all that...long story. I don't have much hope that Götze is going to come in and be an instant hit this season and lead Dortmund to a league or cup victory.
You might ask why I think that when on face value, he's going to be a starter and will play in a team and system that suits him. I've got two words for you:
Shinji Kagawa.
Remember what our Japanese friend was like before going to United? He was so good that the great Ferguson cherry-picked him to join his team. Then can we truly say with a straight face that Kagawa, playing in a similar system still, is the same player that he was on his return compared to before he left for Manchester?
The same could happen to Götze who has for the past three years been playing in a system that is very different to what Klopp and Tuchel preach. On top of that, at least Kagawa was playing regularly for United, the same can't even be said of Götze. So different system, not playing regularly, that can lead to a loss of confidence. All signs may lead to the same thing that happened to Kagawa:
Not bad, not bad. A good performance here and there, but really not as good as you were before you decided to leave.
That is where my fear comes in. I do not for one second deny the talent that Götze has, and also his willingness to prove himself. I'm just a dude that deals with facts and I hope that he does do well and shows us all why he was once heralded as the next big thing from Germany. It's wise to simply soften expectations and see how he plays in the first few games and throughout the season.
Whatever the case...you made the right move, Mario. Now get to work. HH
Comment Below Using your Facebook/Twitter Login or as a Guest
