Champions League
BVB hanging game with Hummels: “Look at body signals”
Mats Hummels’ contract expires. photo
© Franck Fife/AFP/dpa
With outstanding performances in the Champions League, Mats Hummels proves that he is still important for BVB even at the age of 35. However, it remains to be seen whether he will stick around for another season.
When it comes to the question of Marco Reus’s future, the decision has already been made However, it is still pending for Mats Hummels. However, whether Borussia Dortmund will lose its second professional, revered as a cult figure by fans, at the end of the season will likely be decided in the next few days.
“There is nothing new yet. We will let the important issues move forward first – and that is the game at Paris Saint-Germain. We will then decide on all other issues,” said BVB sports director Sebastian Kehl, commenting on the status of the negotiations. “Mats is totally focused and only concentrates on Tuesday. He wants to take his time – and we are relatively relaxed.”
Last season for Hummels?
However, a failure by BVB in the semi-final second leg of the Champions League in Paris today could accelerate the final talks about the contract, which expires in the summer. The 35-year-old still seems undecided. When asked last week whether the 1-0 win in the first leg against Paris could have been his last premier class home game in the BVB jersey, the 2014 world champion replied: “The possibility exists. In fact, nothing has been decided, in any respect. I I’m currently enjoying keeping it free. Of course I also want to see what options there are and what it looks like here.”
He expressed similar reservations before the final training in Paris: “I want to see what signals my body is giving me. Then the personal is another issue. That I take my son into consideration, who goes to school in the summer. It’s me It’s important that this can be agreed upon.”
Kehl: “Three really strong central defenders”
The fact that BVB is in the semi-finals is also thanks to Hummels. He was named player of the match three times in what was a strong Champions League season for him. If his club reaches the final in London on June 1st, his decision could be delayed even further.
Whether Hummels stays or goes will also have an impact on Niklas Süle’s future. The 28-year-old, who has only been used sporadically recently, is unlikely to have any desire to spend another season mostly on the bench. However, sports director Kehl denied media reports that Süle was for sale at BVB: “We have not had any discussions in this direction. We are very happy that we have three really strong central defenders in Süle, Schlotterbeck and Hummels.”
If Hummels ends his career, the path would be clear for Süle to return to the starting eleven. “Niklas didn’t get the game share he was hoping for this season. It’s up to him to step on the gas. That’s what he did. Whenever he was needed, he’s there for us,” commented Kehl.