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Banter Bar exclusive interview with Borussia Dortmund legend Patrick Owomoyela

By Brian Szlenk Straub

DORTMUND, GERMANY - MARCH 17: Patrick Owomoyela of Dortmund is seen after winning the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and SV Werder Bremen at Signal Iduna Park on March 17, 2012 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - MARCH 17: Patrick Owomoyela of Dortmund is seen after winning the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and SV Werder Bremen at Signal Iduna Park on March 17, 2012 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images) /
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DORTMUND, GERMANY – APRIL 30: Mario Goetze and Patrick Owomoyela of Dortmund celebrate at the end of the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and 1. FC Nuernberg at Signal Iduna Park on April 30, 2011 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images)
DORTMUND, GERMANY – APRIL 30: Mario Goetze and Patrick Owomoyela of Dortmund celebrate at the end of the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and 1. FC Nuernberg at Signal Iduna Park on April 30, 2011 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images) /

The Most Talented Player you have played with?

While much of the topics I got to speak to Owomoyela about were related heavily to the season at hand, I felt it was imperative to ask the Borussia Dortmund legend which one of the many stars he played with in black and yellow colours he felt was the most naturally gifted and talented. His answer was one he gave with conviction:

"“I’d say Mario Götze. I kind of helped, (and I say that with a little smile on my face), raise him to the man he has become. He was 17 years old when I first met him when he came up to us and trained with us. He played right in front of me so I kind of helped him find his place on the pitch, but he was so talented. The things he could do with the ball and how calm he was already at that young age… it was just incredible.”"

Dortmund’s prodigal son was by far one of the team’s crown jewels in a star studded attack, playing a role in the domestic double Borussia Dortmund reeled in at the close of the 2012 season. A home grown product of the Dortmund academy, Götze would go on to win the affection of the club’s faithful by continuing his record of scintillating displays during the 2012-2013 season as part of a trio with Robert Lewandowski and Marco Reus that propelled the club to the Champions League final.

His electric displays and dazzling dribbling lit up the Bundesliga and Europe, something Owo says made Götze stand out during his time as a player.

"“Obviously we have guys like Sancho now or even Gio Reyna on the team, but in my time Mario Götze was by far the most talented guy I’ve ever come across.”"

Even in the presence of such talents as Sancho and Reyna, Götze, albeit being a very different player today, still provides a different dimension to Dortmund’s gameplay. His versatility and experience at the top level has seen him become one of the most hard working players on the pitch for Dortmund, playing as an alternative false-nine to Alcacer, adding a more creative flair to the pinnacle of Dortmund’s attacking quartet when called upon.

His ability to play as a number 10 also helps him coordinate attacks in a unique way as well, allowing for rotation in the front line, making Dortmund’s front four very fluid when he is on the pitch.