Dortmund - No panic over Gotze

Teenager keen to be playing regular Champions League football

By Thomas Zocher.   

Teenage midfielder Gotze is among the brightest prospects in the European game and has already been linked with a string of the continent's leading clubs.Borussia Dortmund insist there is no need to panic following Mario Gotze's comments that he needs to be playing regular UEFA Champions League football in the future.

He was a key figure in Dortmund's Bundesliga title success last season and the Germany international is under contract until 2014.

Gotze has admitted he is enjoying his football with the reigning champions, but outlined his plans for the future in a recent interview.

Plan

"It is true that I have made a plan with my player agent Volker Struth," Gotze told Sport-BILD weekly.

"Due to this plan I need to be playing regular UEFA Champions League football in the future.

"I am under contract with Borussia Dortmund. I am not in a position to rule out anything with regard to my future.

"I would need to enjoy my spell at another club in the same way as I enjoy my life at Borussia Dortmund. This is what I would need to be sure of.

"Actually, I think no other club could offer me the same feelings as Borussia Dortmund."

Club executive Hans-Joachim Watzke has responded to Gotze's comments and is not concerned by the prospect of losing the 19-year-old in the near future.

Watzke told dapd news agency: "It's just professional to see Mario Gotze saying he does not rule out anything with regard to himself.

"Still, he is aware, as much as his player agent and all the rest as well, that nothing will happen without our permission. We have a contract with him until June 2014.
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