‘Fat defender’ Nicklas Zuerle (29, Dortmund) has lost weight. He is full of confidence.
“Borussia Dortmund are confident that they will see the ‘best version’ of Niklas Zuerle this season,” the German newspaper Ruhr Nachrichten reported on Wednesday (July 13).
The German central defender, born in 1995, is a giant at 195 centimeters. A center back who combines physicality with intelligent defense, he also has quick feet, reaching a top speed of 34.99 km/h in the 2018-2019 season, making him the fastest player in Bayern Munich at the time.
He moved to Borussia Dortmund shortly after the end of the 2021-2022 season with high expectations. He was expected to replace Mats Hummels as the team’s first-choice center back, as he was beginning to age.
But Hummels’ form did not die easily. He continued to play an important role in both attack and defense with his precise, sharp tackling and signature right-footed mid-to-long-range kicks. In his first season at the club, the 2022-2023 season, Jülle was more often deployed at right fullback than center back.
The problem arose when Dortmund brought in specialist fullback Julian Luegersson. The fullback, who can play on both the right and left side, started to replace Zuerle at right fullback, which meant that Zuerle spent more time on the bench.
In the 2023-2024 season, he was pushed out of the starting lineup. In 32 league games, he started 14, came off the bench in nine, and was on the bench in the other nine.
Jülle’s appearance has changed noticeably: he has started to gain weight rapidly. During Dortmund’s end-of-season open training sessions, Zuerle’s appearance shocked fans, with a thick stomach bulge visible through his sweatshirt. Last month, Germany’s Bild reported that “Zuerle has visibly gained weight in recent months and is believed to have passed the 110-kilogram mark.” At Bayern Munich and at the beginning of his Dortmund career, he weighed between 99 and 100 kilograms. A 토토사이트 추천 whopping 10 kilograms of weight gain.
As the second-highest paid player on the team, it was a big concern for the club that he was relegated to the bench because of his weight.
He decided to go on a diet. “This is his last chance,” says Bild, “and the hierarchy at the club knows that he can be a top central defender if he gets his weight under control. He is far from where he is now.”
His diet was successful, as he appeared in front of the fans looking noticeably slimmer. He started all five of his preseason games and booked his place in Nuri Shaheen’s squad.
Speaking to Germany’s Sport1, he said: “I want to win the Bundesliga with all my heart. We have to realize that we have enough quality. We proved that two years ago, and even that season was not our best season,” he said.
He added: “We need a certain ‘mentality’. Like Bayer 04 Leverkusen. They often turned games around with a lot of passion and conviction, even in tough situations. We have that ability. I want to win the title,” he emphasized.
“We want to have a high share of the ball. It’s a style that suits us well. It’s what I’ve experienced at previous clubs. I’m a defender. I expect my players to play bravely in high positions. For that, we need high intensity training, fitness and speed.”
He said: “I know exactly where I am and what I need to do. I have a clear idea of what coach Shaheen thinks about me and I’m glad he’s the coach. I will show him the ‘best version of Niklas Zulet’ this year,” he added.
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