by Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Julian Nagelsmann's early decision to include Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers demonstrates the 25-year-old's significance.
Nearly six months after his knee injury, the 20-time capped player seems to be on everyone's lips.
The German coach praised the value "of a left-foot with leadership qualities", while BVB club coach Niko Kovac praised him as the country's best central.
"He will be around, definitely. We need his game-opening qualities," the German coach said days before his official squad announcement for the duels against Luxembourg and Northern Ireland.
While Nagelsmann is free to appoint the defender, the Back and Yellow's leadership board is busy extending his contract until 2030, and things might take a while.
Despite the club's latest upswing of 13 unbeaten games, coming along with Wednesday's 4-1 win over Athletic Bilbao in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign, reports speak of Schlotterbeck's demand for a title-eligible squad.
Before signing new papers, the player is demanding a title promising a transfer policy, recent media reports say.
Schlotterbeck's qualities have triggered the interest of several top European sides, the reports say.
BVB CEO Lars Ricken called the player "an unwavering identification figure." According to the 1997 Champions League winner, sporting qualities are undeniable, while "he is 100 percent committed to our club."
Sporting director Sebastian Kehl said he is optimistic about a successful deal, but things will take some time, "as he has so far focused on his recovery." The official promised to the club's fans, "to work on it."
German record international and 150-time capped Lothar Matthaeus called the defender a "mentality performer," whose value can't be rated high enough.
Schlotterbeck stated that things are far from urgent due to his current contract, which runs until 2027, and mentioned his efforts to regain his best shape.
The way back requires cautiousness, Kovac added, while Schlotterbeck remained on the bench for 70 minutes against Bilbao due to safety reasons, as the BVB coach put it.
"He played two games over 90 minutes before, and our medical staff told me to take things easy," the 53-year-old said ahead of the delicate league issue upcoming Saturday against Leipzig.
While Kovac's actions led to a revitalization of the struggling 2024 Champions League final participant, to achieve success, Schlotterbeck's participation seems inevitable.
The Dortmund coach's approach is grounded in a robust defense while up front relying on fast strikers like Karim Adeyemi and Serhou Guirassy.
Schlotterbeck is the key to meet the club's claim to be Germany's number two behind Bayern Munich, he added, but mentioned that the entire squad is aware of what is required to return to competitiveness. ■
