Germany international playmaker Ilkay Gundogan recently returned to his country’s starting line-up, following a troublesome spell with injury, and he is now set for a further revival as Borussia Dortmund close in on a new deal for their midfielder.
Jurgen Klopp’s Black and Yellows are reportedly set to hand their rejuvenated maestro a new long-term contract, having previously made his long-awaited return to the Germany national team, featuring for the full 90 minutes in a 2-2 friendly draw with Australia.
The 24-year-old endured a disappointing set-back last season, having picked up a back injury in August while on international duty, and his current employers are 13/5 with Coral to overcome Bayern Munich in their next league clash.
Gundogan was taken off before half-time in that friendly encounter with South American outfit Paraguay, which was played in Kaiserslautern, also the scene of Gundogan’s recent welcomed return to Germany action.
Dortmund’s deadly star only returned to competitive first-team action last October, as he featured for 89 minutes in a poor 2-1 Bundesliga defeat to Cologne, during a futile run of domestic league form which saw Klopp’s men flirt with the relegation places.
However, Gundogan is delighted to have made a comeback for his country, having unluckily missed last summer’s World Cup in Brazil, where his nation stormed to a famous triumph on South American soil.
“I am delighted to back, and I hope that I have put all my injury problems behind me and can have a fresh start in the national team,” he said.
Gundogan’s return is made even more impressive considering he underwent back surgery only last year.
“Afterwards, I was allowed to get up fairly quickly and take a few steps. It was such a liberating feeling, it felt like a personal accolade.
“When I suffered the injury, I wasn’t even 23. But I thought it was a given for me to lead such a privileged life. The setback made me realise that it was not a given.”
The potent playmaker will be aiming to banish any lasting memories of his World Cup absence this year, something which he described as a huge blow in his short career so far, and a new deal at the Signal-Iduna-Park could spark a fresh start for the young attacker.
With fellow Germany international Marco Reus having recently inspired Dortmund to a rise from their previous domestic decline, after penning a new long-term contract, Gundogan could potentially have a similar impact for the remainder of this current campaign.
Klopp’s side incredibly lay rock-bottom of the German top-flight for a brief period, but are now pushing for a European place, after climbing to 33 points and 10th spot. Gallant German Gundogan has played a key role in that recent revival, having featured in Dortmund’s last 11 consecutive games in all competitions.
The Black and Yellows will face the daunting task of trying to topple current league leaders Munich in their next fixture and they are 7/1 to secure a home victory to nil.
