Emre Can has increasingly become a liability for Borussia Dortmund, let's face it. He might have arrived to the club with a lot of fanfare, but those days are long gone. Today, the German is a burden on Dortmund and it's high time they cut their losses by letting him go.
According to latest reports, Can is ruled out until 2027 as the 32-year-old continues his recovery from an ACL injury. Amid his time away from the pitch, he also underwent a surgery in the adductor to resolve a persistent issue.
German news outlets such as Kicker and Ruhr Nachrichten now report that Can is unlikely to return before the end of the year, and won't be present at the training either. The midfielder has already been out since February this year and would have spent nearly a year out by the time he returns in January.
That's a long time for a player of his caliber, who also dons the captain's armband. But the BVB have adjusted to life without him with new players coming in and cementing the gap decisively. Joane Gadou is fast becoming a first-team regular in the back-three whereas Filippo Mane is Niko Kovac's most reliable back-up in defense, coming in to cover whenever there are defensive casualties.
Dortmund are also packed to the rafters with midfielders who can operate from the defensive midfield position as Can does. So, that begs the question, do we really need him?
He certainly has backing of some of the players in the squad, such as Nico Schlotterbeck, who hailed Can as a vital figurehead in the dressing room, whereas sporting director Sebastian Kehl also recently called him an 'important part' of the side. Right after the player's diagnosis in March, Kehl said:
"He is our captain, always puts himself at the service of the team and is an important part of our club. Emre will receive every support from us over the next few months so that he can make a full recovery."
There's also the issue of wages. Can is among the highest paid BVB stars right now, taking home a hefty sum of €6.4million per year according to Capology. But is the club getting any worth from the investment? Since joining the club on a permanent transfer in 2020, Can has missed 76 games for club and country (but mostly for club) with injuries. Also, he's not getting any younger. Come January, he'll be 33 and can't be expected to lead the side like before.
There's no denying his talents. He's been an excellent defender and few players of his age can match his set-piece ability too. But his persistent fitness concerns and prolonged absences cannot be overlooked either. Can has to go now. It's tme.
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