After eight years at FC Bayern, one thing is clear: Leon Goretzka will leave the German record champions at the end of the season. As soon as the decision is official, the discussion about his sporting future picks up speed. One idea is attracting particular attention – a possible move to Borussia Dortmund
Leon Goretzka has achieved everything possible at club level in Munich. Six titles in one season, Champions League victory, championships, cup success – in sporting terms, there is hardly a wish left unfulfilled. After a total of eight years, this chapter is now coming to an end, as FC Bayern will not be renewing the 30-year-old’s expiring contract. For Goretzka, this marks the start of a phase in which he is free to decide where his path leads
While clubs from Italy, Spain and England are already being traded internationally, a scenario is now also coming into focus that is polarizing at first glance: Borussia Dortmund. For soccer expert Pit Gottschalk, this thought game is by no means absurd. In the current episode of „Schwarzgelben Runde“, the sports journalist and long-time BVB observer openly brought the Bayern departure into play
„I would like to see a guy like Leon Goretzka at BVB“
Gottschalk made no secret of the fact that he would consider Goretzka to be a clear reinforcement in sporting terms. „I would like to see a guy like Leon Goretzka at BVB,“ he said in the programme. For him, the decisive factor is that Dortmund need a player in midfield who takes responsibility, organises the game and thinks at the highest level. This is precisely where Gottschalk sees the qualities of the Bayern star
„You have to look at a higher level if you want to significantly improve the squad,“ he continued, explaining that Goretzka brings experience from the Champions League, title races and pressure situations – qualities that have often been lacking in Dortmund’s midfield recently. A player who not only runs with the team, but also pulls the strings
Schalke’s past as a hurdle – or a minor matter?
However, the mind game is not entirely without doubt. Gottschalk also openly addressed the biggest hurdle: Goretzka’s past. „He played for VfL Bochum and Schalke. Of course, this past exists,“ he said. The Schalke past in particular is likely to be a sensitive issue for some Dortmund fans
At the same time, however, Gottschalk put this point into perspective. Goretzka is „a child of the Ruhr region, very down-to-earth and a great character“. His development, attitude and demeanour have long since shown that he is more than his former club affiliation. For Gottschalk, the sporting and human arguments therefore clearly outweigh this
In sporting terms, a move to BVB would make perfect sense. Dortmund have been looking for stability and leadership quality in central midfield for years. Goretzka could fill precisely this role – as a physically strong, running-intensive player with international experience. He also knows the Bundesliga inside out and would not have to adapt to a new environment
Whether such a move is realistic is another matter, but a transfer within the Bundesliga is considered unlikely. Goretzka himself has recently indicated that he is looking for a new challenge and wants to get out of his comfort zone. There are many indications that he will venture abroad in the summer.