Report: Borussia Dortmund hope to see Niklas Süle improvement after difficult season

Borussia Dortmund want Niklas Süle to be in top shape when he returns to the club for pre-season after a disappointing campaign marred by fitness issues.

Appointed Borussia Dortmund's third captain before the start of the season, Niklas Süle had a campaign to forget as he lost his place in the starting XI and also appeared to struggle with fitness problems. According to SportBILD, Süle's poor physical shape and condition left the BVB bosses very frustrated as he fell behind Mats Hummels and Nico Schlotterbeck in the pecking order for centre-backs.

Süle's lack of playing time at the club level also meant that he failed to make the Germany squad for Euro 2024. The 28 year old's fitness was already an issue in December and he even hired a private chef to try and fix it, but to no avail. The magazine adds that Lars Ricken and Sebastian Kehl have now made it clear to the former Bayern Munich defender that they expect him to be in top shape when he returns from his summer break for pre-season.

Borussia Dortmund do not want to write off Süle just yet. Having joined on a free transfer from Bayern Munich, he is one of the club's highest paid players and still has two years left on his current contract.

Due to his high salary, the chances of a move away from the club this summer aren't very likely. And with Mats Hummels expected to leave Borussia Dortmund, Niklas Süle will have the opportunity to win back his spot in the starting XI.