The national player is going to Borussia Dortmund in the summer, as the club has just announced. But is that really the right step for Süle?
After this season, Niklas Süle is moving from Bundesliga leaders FC Bayern Munich to second-placed Borussia Dortmund (Here you get more information). The 26-year-old defender did not want to extend his expiring contract with the German record champions and is now taking this path, which many found surprising, on a free transfer.
License manager Sebastian Kehl, who will replace Michael Zorc as sporting director in the summer, says: “Niklas showed us in personal discussions that he is very interested in Borussia Dortmund. He has a lot of experience, calmness in the build-up game and the necessary physique to take the next step together with us from the summer.”
Süle has signed for BVB for four years, although he has also recently been linked with top European clubs in England, Spain and Italy.
That leads to the question:
Is the move to BVB the right step for Niklas Süle?
Florian Wichert
Deputy Editor in Chief
Pro
Yes, only here does he get the appropriate appreciation
Süle actually goes to BVB – that’s an outstanding decision and a sign to the league: Look, Dortmund is a top club that will blow a new hunt for Bayern next season. We want to bring the excitement back to the league and become champions.
The fact that Süle rejected FC Bayern’s contract offer solely because of the lack of appreciation is of course only half the truth. Of course, the salary played a role – and BVB will certainly have to dig deep into their pockets to realize this obligation.
Nevertheless, Süle’s step is unusual. He proves that there are more important things for him than the title subscription to FC Bayern or a few euros more at Chelsea or Real Madrid: a supporting role rather than an accompanying role, the unconditional trust of the club’s top management. There is only one club that fits him: BVB. Here he can inherit the slow and aging Mats Hummels – and get a pat on the back from the whole league. A player who consciously decides against Bayern will certainly be shown maximum respect from all sides.
And who knows: Maybe top striker Erling Haaland will think again about whether he really has to go.
Robert Hiersmann
Head of Football and Sports
Against
No, Dortmund cannot be his goal
Niklas Süle is a Champions League winner, four-time champion, two-time DFB Cup winner and a regular at world club FC Bayern. His move to BVB is a huge surprise and at the same time a step backwards. Because the Westphalians are at least one category below their current club.
Sule is only 26 years old. The next step has to be forward, not backward. A highly decorated German national defender like him, who has been playing successfully with the record champions for many years, should switch to a top European club that has the goal of winning the premier class every year. With Dortmund, on the other hand, this goal is illusory. And even the championship title is not in the coming years with BVB because Bayern are just too good. Dortmund cannot be his claim.
Süle should have chosen England. He has been a Premier League fan for many years and at 1.95m tall he fits in perfectly with the physically intense football on the island. Of course, the competition at these clubs is fierce. But he would still help clubs like Chelsea or Liverpool immediately.
Who is right?
In “Duel of the Week”, Florian Wichert (Deputy Editor-in-Chief at t-online) and Robert Hiersemann (Head of Soccer and Sport) comment on current soccer topics on a weekly basis. Watch the format in the video above or from 9 p.m. on free TV as part of “Bundesliga Analysis” on Sport 1.
