Michael Zorc expects significant improvement in performances from Thomas Meunier next season
Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has laid out clear expectations for Thomas Meunier as the Belgian international enters his second season with Die Schwarzgelben.
It is no secret that Borussia Dortmund right-back Thomas Meunier has caused a stir with his performances over the last year since his move from PSG. His appearances seem to tell a tale of two players, with his showings for the Black and Yellows often garnering a less than impressive reaction from fans and club alike, while at the same time shining for his national team both prior to and during the Euros.
This inconsistency has been noticed by the BVB bosses, and Michael Zorc had his say on the matter while speaking to Ruhr Nachrichten. Zorc stated that they are expecting a “significant improvement in performances” from Meunier once the new season is under way. The BVB sporting director did say however that he has been impressed with the way Meunier has performed over the course of the Euros:
“We have all agreed to hit the reset button now. I thought he did well at the European Championships, he made good forward runs down the wing and hit some good crosses.”
Meunier’s crossing and attacking runs were some of the main facets of his play that were criticized last season. The disparity in his stats for Dortmund vs those he has put up for Belgium consistently says it all. Over the course of nine appearances for Belgium last season, which include the Euros, Meunier scored once and provided four assists. His Dortmund numbers are far less impressive, with the right-back registering one goal and two assists across 23 appearances in all competitions.
Meunier said in May that he was disappointed with his performances during his first season at Borussia Dortmund. And Zorc also spoke about the 29 year old’s self-critical nature.
“He is very self-critical about his performances. He’s a great guy, but maybe he overthinks things sometimes. I have made it clear to him that we expect a significant improvement in performance.”
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With the backing of the Dortmund hierarchy behind him, it will now be up to Meunier to put aside last year’s troubles and carry on the form he has shown form Belgium into the new season. With Mateu Morey still out due to injury and general inactivity on Dortmund’s end in trying to find an additional right back, it looks like Meunier will be the first choice starter in the position for the foreseeable future, which should give him the chance to show his quality.