Netzer endorses Reuz, Gotze for Germany

Former West Germany star Gunter Netzer has urged Joachim Loew to start picking Borussia Dortmund duo Marco Reus and Mario Gotze.

Reus was the stand-out player in the Bundesliga last season, scoring a host of goals as Borussia Mönchengladbach earned an unlikely fourth-placed finish.

Gotze, meanwhile, has been a key figure as Jurgen Klopp’s side secured back-to-back titles, but the pair have been used sparingly at international level, winning just 25 caps between them.

Both were on target as die Schwarzgelben beat Werder Bremen 2-1 on Friday and, for Netzer, it is time for them to make a mark for their country.

“With Marco Reus, BVB succeeded with great commitment,” he wrote in his column in Bild am Sonntag.

“The boy is one of the most promising and, above all, useful players of the past decade. He has all the makings of a great footballer.

“Gotze is also a beacon of hope for the all of German football. He is also back on the international scene at last, and is working way back up slowly again (after injury).

“For Dortmund, and the national team, there must be a place for two exceptional players like Reus and Gotze.”

Netzer went on to give his backing to Bayern Munich’s 40-million-euro move for Javi Martinez, despite admitting that he was not aware of the 23-year-old’s talents.

“I must admit, I have never seen Martinez play, but a very good reputation preceeds him,” he said.

“It is a dizzying fee. One imagines him to be an absolutely exceptional footballer who changes an entire team.

“But it is not as though Bayern panic in the transfer market and suddenly think that they should buy expensive players. Bayern think they can get away with this transfer financially.”