Kohler refuses to write off Gotze

Former Borussia Dortmund defender Jurgen Kohler refuses to write off Mario Gotze just yet and believes the attacking midfielder still has a future in the European game.

The 24-year-old returned to BVB ahead of the 2016-17 campaign after a difficult three-year spell with Bayern Munich, but he has been struggling to rediscover his best form back at Signal Iduna Park.

Lothar Matthaus suggested this week a move to China might be Gotze’s only option if he does not succeed at Dortmund, but Kohler feels such comments are premature.

“You should not just write off a player who has so much ability,” Kohler told Reviersport.

“For me personally, without knowing him very well, he does not look like he is in a great shape.

“He made the move to Bayern too early in his career. At Bayern you are competing with 22, 23 international stars, whereas at other teams there are eight or nine at most. You need to have a special mentality if you go to Bayern. That should have been made very clear to Gotze.

“I think Lothar’s comments were a tad premature. There are still plenty of teams in England, Spain and Italy that feel Mario fits their profile.”