Borussia Dortmund allegedly show interest in Niklas Stark and Nico Schlotterbeck

According to Sport Bild, Borussia Dortmund are interested in signing a centre-back, with Hertha Berlin’s Niklas Stark and Freiburg’s Nico Schlotterbeck on their list.

Borussia Dortmund have been linked with a pair of Bundesliga centre-back in the last couple of days. Hertha Berlin’s Niklas Stark and SC Freiburg’s Nico Schlotterbeck are being looked at as possible reinforcements for the Dortmund defense. The former is in the last year of his contract at Hertha, which expires at the end of June next year. The 26 year old would, as of right now, come on a free transfer and is also able to play as a defensive midfielder.

Schlotterbeck, on the other hand, has had a breakout season with Freiburg and would cost significantly more than his compatriot Stark. The German international has averaged 10.5 pressures per game, 2.3 tackles and 2.8 interceptions per 90 minutes. He also wins on average 3.4 aerial duels per game. If we compare these numbers to Hertha’s number 5, there is a stark difference that makes itself apparent almost immediately. Stark has averaged 10.1 pressures per game, 1.7 tackles, 1.6 interceptions and generally wins 2.9 aerial duels per 90.

Of course, numbers alone don’t tell the full story. Schlotterbeck has been a rock in defense for a rather over-achieving Freiburg side that currently sits fourth in the Bundesliga table, while Stark has plied his trade for a 14th placed Hertha side very much struggling to find a footballing identity.

While the numbers indicate that based on form and talent Schlotterbeck is clearly the superior player, it doesn’t mean that Stark himself isn’t able to provide on the pitch. It has to be noted that the former is very much in a squad that allows him to flourish and put his best attributes to use, while the latter is not.

Thus comes the question, are Borussia Dortmund looking at these two players as an “either or” situation, or would they look to bring both in, if possible? The answer of course depends on what exactly they are looking for in these two players. In Stark, I see him as a flexible depth signing for a not so expensive sum of money. Schlotterbeck, on the other hand, seems to be more of a long term, starting 11 sort of target for Dortmund to go after.

It would only make sense for Dortmund to go for Schlotterbeck if they were looking to replace one of their current starting defenders, namely Mats Hummels or Manuel Akanji. It also stands to reason that Schlotterbeck himself would not seek to go to Dortmund unless he was guaranteed minutes. There would otherwise be no reason for the player to consider leaving his current situation with Freiburg.

There is also Schlotterbeck’s recent comments in an interview with Sport1 to consider, where the player hinted that a move to Bayern Munich would be appealing in the long run. In the event that Niklas Sule were to leave after his contract expires in the summer, there would be a vacancy at Bayern Munich for Schlotterbeck to fill.

It remains to be seen as to whether Dortmund will make bids for either player. We’ll just have to wait and see if interest in either player comes to fruition in the coming months.