Dortmund legend criticises Schlotterbeck: “Too many repeated errors” | OneFootball

In the current kicker ranking of Bundesliga center-backs, Nico Schlotterbeck has to take a setback. The BVB star drops in the rankings and also faces clear criticism from Jürgen Kohler.

Nico Schlotterbeck has lost a few places in the latest kicker center-back rankings. The Borussia Dortmund defender is still listed in the “international class” category, but compared to the winter edition, he has dropped from second place to fifth. Ahead of him now are Dayot Upamecano, Matthias Ginter, Jonathan Tah, and Edmond Tapsoba.

Bayern pro Dayot Upamecano once again claimed the top spot. However, the specialist magazine did not award any center-back the label of “world class” this half-season either. Former BVB star Matthias Ginter was particularly impressive, moving up to second place.

kicker explained its ranking by saying: “Like a fine red wine, Freiburg’s defensive leader, at the mature age of 32 and after already 500 professional matches, has produced the best half-year of his career — with an impressive influence on SC’s play, both at the back and going forward.” Jonathan Tah also moved ahead of Schlotterbeck, while Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba took fourth place. According to kicker, the Burkina Faso international “allowed himself only a single negative lapse — in the 1-3 defeat in Stuttgart on matchday 33.”

BVB duo Schlotterbeck and Anton drop in the rankings

Schlotterbeck also received praise for his build-up play. The Germany international possesses a “quality of diagonal balls that is second to none.” At the same time, however, the experts still see room for improvement, as he “still shows weaknesses defensively from time to time.”

Photo: IMAGO

BVB legend Jürgen Kohler shares a similar view. “Nico Schlotterbeck still needs to improve in the core business of defending,” said the former world champion. The 60-year-old added by way of explanation: “For all his strengths in build-up play and attacking headers, he still makes too many recurring mistakes there.”

Schlotterbeck’s Dortmund teammate Waldemar Anton was also unable to challenge near the top of the rankings. The center-back was placed only in the “national class” category and ranked ninth. In winter, Anton had still been fifth in the “international class” category.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.