The praise came with announcement. "That's how we imagine it," said Edin Terzic when asked about Mats Hummels. Then the new Borussia Dortmund coach explained what he liked so much: the way the 2014 World Champion accepted his role as a reserve player.
"He came on in the second half and made an excellent game," said Terzic after BVB's 3-0 (2-0) win in the first round of the DFB Cup at third division 1860 Munich: "He was there immediately, very much present, very strong in tackles, very clear in the passing game.” Halt exactly as Terzic had imagined.
It was clear that a new era would begin in Dortmund with the start of the new season, especially for Hummels. The 33-year-old defensive veteran had two competitors in terms of filling the central defense with the newly signed Niklas Süle (26) and Nico Schlotterbeck (22). Both Süle, who came from FC Bayern on a free transfer, and Schlotterbeck, for whom BVB transferred 20 million euros to SC Freiburg, are current internationals. They stand for the future. Hummels, who has been a seed since his return to BVB three years ago, will have to fight to maintain his place in the center of defence.
He is aware of that. "For me, the fight for the place is definitely bigger than it has been for a long time - like since my early days in the national team. But that's a nice thing and nothing that makes me frown now," he explained a week ago at the training camp in Bad Ragaz in an interview with "Ruhr Nachrichten". That sounds like a realistic self-assessment. "Many people have been wondering for 16 years how I was able to play at that level," said Hummels.
This was a bit of a dig at his critics. When it was discussed last season whether he was still able to cope with the demands at the top level, he apparently felt a little reminded of the beginnings of his career. Even then, when he was just growing up in the youth department of FC Bayern, there were doubts about him in Munich. Hummels then switched to BVB and refuted the skeptics impressively.
The fact is, however, that the most successful player in the Dortmund squad has now entered a new phase in his career. The question is: How much can he still give to the team in advanced professional age?
On the one hand, there is his accumulated experience, the quality he still has in building up the game – on the other hand, those responsible for the club are also hoping that a new hierarchy will develop in the team. This includes new leaders. In terms of defense, Süle and Schlotterbeck should take on these tasks. Up front, Jude Bellingham (19) is backed. In the future, they should lead the way on and off the field - which does not automatically mean that Hummels and captain Marco Reus (like Hummels 33) no longer play a role.
A changing of the guard in the Bundesliga? If Jürgen Kohler has his way, this will happen in the coming season. For the former world champion, Borussia Dortmund is “the absolute top favorite for the championship – not FC Bayern”.
Source: SID
“Of course, I still see Marco and Mats as having an obligation. And she herself, by the way. Marco remains our captain and Mats our vice-captain,” said Sebastian Kehl in an interview with WELT AM SONNTAG. "We'll approach the contract issue in due course," said the sporting director. Both Hummels and Reus' contracts expire at the end of the season. At the moment it is not clear what will happen next.
In any case, both are needed in the current season. This applies in particular to Hummels, as Terzic has already indicated that he wants to play more often with three central defenders. Add to that the intense workload. "We have nine English weeks in a row from September, so none of the three of us will play every game," said Schlotterbeck about the competition in central defence.
As far as his prospects with regard to the World Cup in December and his future in general are concerned, Hummels is deliberately relaxed. “I want to help the team and not just be ballast. I even recently said to Sebastian Kehl that if I were BVB, I wouldn't be extending my contract at the moment," he said. Such statements are very unusual in the professional business.
