Nico Schlotterbeck is being linked with several suitors and has the potential to become one of the best defenders in the world.

By Graham Ruthven

There aren’t many defenders like Nico Schlotterbeck. Indeed, the 25-year-old ticks a lot of boxes – physically imposing, good on the ball and left-footed. It’s no wonder so many of Europe’s biggest (and richest) clubs are reportedly circling him ahead of what could be a pivotal summer for the German international next year.

Of course, Schlotterbeck is already at a big club. He’s been a central pillar of the Borussia Dortmund team for the last three seasons and is guaranteed, barring injury, to clock up over 3,000 Bundesliga minutes this term. The Black and Yellows have built around the centre back.

Now, though, it’s becoming apparent that Dortmund can’t take Schlotterbeck any further in his career. Niko Kovač’s team have some momentum ahead of the first Der Klassiker of the season on Saturday, but most expect Bayern Munich to run away with the Bundesliga title, as they do most seasons.

Everything about Schlotterbeck suggests he’s ready for the next step to truly become one of the best players in the world in his position. At 25, this could be the right time for the former Freiburg and Union Berlin defender to move on with several clubs in England and Spain thought to be interested.

Schlotterbeck’s defensive basics are sound. He is averaging 6.0 clearances per 90 minutes in the Bundesliga this season, putting him behind just one Dortmund player (Ramy Bensebaini). He is also averaging more blocks per 90 minutes (1.0) than any of his club teammates as well as 1.3 interceptions per 90 minutes.

On top of this, though, Schlotterbeck is also the quintessential modern defender in the way he is capable of playing out from the back. He is averaging 7.0 accurate long balls per 90 minutes this season, more than any other Dortmund player, giving the Black and Yellows a way to get into the final third quickly and directly.

This metric possibly explains why Liverpool are reportedly among the clubs monitoring Schlotterbeck. Virgil van Dijk performs a similar role for the Premier League champions, averaging 3.4 accurate long balls per 90 minutes with the Dutch defender a crucial supply line into the forward line, and into Mohamed Salah in particular. 

Van Dijk is still an important figure at Anfield, but the 34-year-old has looked his age at certain points this season. Liverpool’s general imbalance across the pitch might be to blame for that. Ibrahima Konaté’s chaotic performances haven’t helped either. Nonetheless, Van Dijk might finally be fading.

Liverpool have already shown they are willing to rebuild parts of their squad before they truly need to. Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak were surely signed this summer with a view to a post-Salah future. Could the Anfield club do something similar to land Schlotterbeck before Van Dijk has left?

Real Madrid have also been linked, although their need might not be so clear. Los Blancos spent £50m on Dean Huijsen this summer and while the 20-year-old has had some shaky moments for his new team, he has still shown his potential as one of the best young defenders in the world.

Xabi Alonso could use Huijsen and Schlotterbeck together, but that would require one of them to operate on the wrong side. Alternatively, Schlotterbeck’s signing could facilitate Real Madrid shifting to the sort of back three that worked so well for Alonso during his time as Bayer Leverkusen boss.

Bayern Munich and Chelsea are similarly believed to be admirers of Schlotterbeck. Barcelona would almost certainly be in the market for the German international too if they weren’t saving their pennies for a Robert Lewandowski replacement. Schlotterbeck isn’t exactly short of options.

“Schlotti is a very important player for us and for the national team,” said Kovač when asked about the growing speculation around the Borussia Dortmund defender. “I’m not responsible for contract matters. My job is to prepare the team for the next opponent and ensure we keep improving.”

It’s possible Schlotterbeck could sign a contract extension to remain at the Westfalenstadion beyond the summer of 2027. Recent reports claim Dortmund have tabled an offer that would make the 25-year-old one of their highest earners on a salary of €10million a year. That might keep him around.

In a footballing sense, though, Schlotterbeck might have his eyes on bigger prizes. He has grown into the epitome of the modern defender. Dortmund has been good for his development, but another club might give him a platform at an even higher level. The rarity of Schlotterbeck makes him so attractive to so many.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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