If Borussia Dortmund are to seal a contract extension for Nico Schlotterbeck, it will only be because his teammates have caught up.
The Germany regular has become one of Europe’s elite defenders since moving to the Ruhr, but it’s becoming clear much of that is down to mentality.
With a deal that expires at the end of next season, BVB want an extension before then, or to pocket a maximum fee from a team like Real Madrid or Barcelona.
Schlotterbeck, though, wants to continue testing his club’s winning mentality first.
Back in December he fumed at Dortmund’s substitutes for allowing a 2-1 win over Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League to slip away.
Calling out Serhou Guirassy and Karim Adeyemi, he commented: “If you come on in the 60th minute, I expect 30 minutes of full throttle.”
He wasn’t wrong either, yet the following days saw sporting director Sebastian Kehl and CEO Lars Ricken do everything in their power to play the story down.
Yet they weren’t joined by someone with Schlotterbeck’s winning mentality, advisor Matthias Sammer.
“There are people who have wonderful character traits, but no leadership qualities. That’s naturally alarming at first,” the legendary Ballon d’Or winner said.
“The club certainly doesn’t lack harmony. Borussia Dortmund craves harmony. That’s also what defines the club in its connection, in its love for the peopl.
“However, if BVB wants to take the next step, constructive criticism will improve the club.”
He finished on Schlotterbeck: “But it was the truth. We have to stop blurring the truth in the end, so that those who speak the truth end up being the fools.
“I thought what he said was wonderful. He spoke the truth, and a leader is allowed to do that, must do that, it’s his job.”
Such a backing has emboldened Schlotterbeck to continue demanding more from his teammates, culminating in him declaring BVB in this season’s title race.
The statement came as a shock to many, but he could have a point, with BVB capitalising on Bayern Munich’s recent slip ups to close the gap at the top to six points before they face off.
They nearly lost their winning run against Wolfsburg but survived last time out, and Schlotterbeck made it clear what’s changed.
“Mentality,” he said. “The very thing that’s been denied us for years.
“We played a good first half, a weak second half, and deservedly conceded the equaliser.
“In the end, we were so good in terms of quality that Felix, with a great individual effort, laid the ball off perfectly to Fabio, and Serhou was in exactly the right place at the right time. Then we won 2-1.”
On his title proclamation he added: “The lads noticed during the week how passionate I am about this.
“We’ve had two long weeks now, we can prepare for the games and recover a bit. It’s extremely important that we have the focus and the mindset to attack. I certainly hope it helped to some extent.
“You play for BVB to win certain things. I’m captain today because Emre is out. When I say: We want to take the lead, we want to challenge those at the top, then I’m setting the course.
“Then the lads have to follow suit, and that’s what they did today.”
If they continue they could well keep one of Europe’s best defenders, if not, it’s goodbye Schlotterbeck, and welcome back loser mentality.
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