Yes, in parts. Dortmund controlled them also in their group games in 2012.
Ah, pesky media. I retract my statement Gundogan.
There's a good chance, he's still a douche bag. Dortmund should have offered him at least a 2 year extension or none at all, it's so easy now for Gündogan to exploit the situation.
I know the quotes have been denied, but this sounds like Sagna. I was amazed at the reception that Sagna got from the Arsenal fans when he left. They stuck by him through two leg breaks and he mouthed off about leaving if they didn't win a trophy, then left on a free to a big club in the same division!
I do think the Vidal ship has sailed, it was this summer or never, but waiting another 18 months on Strootman and Gundogan is excessive IMO. If both are playing at or close to the level they were after the next 6 months I think they'd be worth the shot, I mean by that point there'd be no reason to suspect they weren't fully healed.
Strootman maybe but for gundogan it would be too early, you can't sign someone who has spent the majority of the last two seasons injured.
He has only missed one season, he was out 14 months, that is just over a year so he missed all of the 2013/14 season but played 45 games the season before that and has played 6 this season.
How exactly did they stick with and support him through it? By not releasing him? You're making it sound as if he owes them a lot.
What makes you think that?
Paying for his surgery, rehab, private med care, etc. I guess he means. Not that any club would refuse their player that, but you would expect some sort of loyalty afterwards.
That's not what I said, even if he stays fit until the summer he will only have played 6 months worth of football in two years, for a team crippled with injuries adding another player with that sort of record doesn't make sense however good he is. 6 months isn't enough to prove he has recovered fully so he shouldn't be considered unless it's a cut price deal or based heavily on incentives but Dortmund aren't going to agree to that so it should be 18 months from now before anyone thinks about signing him.
Cool... when does his thread re-open?
I think @Pexbo deserves to be the one to make that thread!
Just stumbled across a Facebook post by him about that Turkish interview that was manipulated:
Interesting that he confirms 'requests' from abroad. I'd be surprised if we weren't one of those clubs sniffing around him before his injury. The media seem convinced that Real and Barca were too.
Him and Schmelzer were Dortmund's best players IMO. Controlled the midfield at times and seems to be recovering well from the long layoff.
Faint praise indeed. But yeah Gundogan was pretty good, some nice interceptions but a lot of misplaced passes, nowhere near where he used to be but that will hopefully come back in time. I love the guy, was a cracking player.
I disagree. He's nowhere near the level he was pre-injury. I didn't expect him to hit the ground running, but I expected more than this.
It's much harder to make a smooth return from a stop-start layoff extending over almost 2 seasons mate. Yes, he was no-where near the pre-injury form but it wasn't surprising at all. It's very hard to regain match fitness and 100 % stamina after months of rustiness. I'm quite pleased with his progression to be fair. The man has played just 4 hours of first team football this season (including the Arsenal game). I thought he was comfortably better than most other Dortmund players in an overall subdued collective effort by the team.
Yep agree with your post.
Had a good game.. Little rusty but you could see how good he can be..
His ass seems a bit fat, to me. And he has a beer gut.
Rusty?
Thought he was immense, goal aside his passing and dribbling was amazing, really reminded me of his 12/13 form.Agreed like i said easy to see why he was so sought after.. He ran out of steam in the 2nd half. But he was good..Rusty?
But how ? By not releasing him ? He was under contract and they were protecting their asset. Gundogan doesn't necessary owe them anything, what Dortmund did was just protocol obligation.
Didn't he sign a contract extension when he was injured? I could be wrong, I don't follow Bundesliga that closely
