BVB Star Niklas Süle Faces Likely End of Year Absence
Borussia Dortmund defender Niklas Süle has been sidelined for six official matches due to a puzzling toe injury. The swelling is so severe that at one point he could not fit his foot into a shoe, raising concerns about his condition.
Coach Niko Kovac confirmed Süle will miss the crucial cup match against Bayer Leverkusen tonight at 21:00 CET. “He is making progress but has been out for four weeks and still needs time to catch up. He also has not trained with the squad yet, so he is not an option right now,” Kovac stated.
Unclear Diagnosis and Limited Expectations
The injury’s exact nature remains unclear even to the coaching staff. Kovac admitted, “I am not a doctor and can only pass on what is told to me. He is now able to wear a shoe and does exercises with our rehab coach, but what exactly is wrong with him, honestly, I don’t know.”
This uncertainty signals that a quick return is unlikely, and the club appears not to prioritize rushing Süle back onto the field. With five central defenders—Nico Schlotterbeck, Waldemar Anton, Emre Can, Ramy Bensebaini, and Aaron Anselmino—ahead of him in competition, Süle’s absence is manageable for the team.
Contract Year and Career Impact
Süle is currently in the final year of his contract with Borussia Dortmund. Each missed match reduces his chance of earning a contract extension. The defender joined Dortmund in the summer transfer window from Bayern Munich on a free transfer, signing the highest-paid contract in the squad, reportedly earning up to 14 million euros per season.
After nearly 100 competitive appearances, Süle has spent more time on the bench and sidelined by injuries than on the pitch. He has missed 39 games due to fitness and health setbacks, casting doubts on the return on investment for the club.
Positive Update on Squad Fitness
In a related update, offensive midfielder Maximilian Beier is close to returning following a muscle hardening issue. Kovac remarked, “He has fully resumed training. The outlook is good for his comeback.”
As Dortmund navigates key fixtures without Süle, the team relies on depth in defense and hopes for recovery breakthroughs in the coming months.
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