For months now, speculation has been rife over the future of Arsenal duo Alexis Sánchez and Mesut Özil, both out of contract at the end of the 2017/18 season. Manchester City are trailing the former, while Manchester United are said to be weighing up a swoop for the German. It’s a similar tale regarding the likes of Emre Can, Marouane Fellaini and indeed Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi, all of whom, as things stand, will be free agents come the summer.
But aside from this cast of world-renowned talent set either for lucrative moves or equally lucrative contract renewals, there's another player who will be available for no transfer fee at the end of the current campaign. And German international midfielder Leon Goretzka might just offer the best value.
Goretzka has steadily risen to establish himself as a key player at both club and international level and is reportedly attracting interest from Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Manchester United and Barcelona. The 22-year-old has been in stellar form recently, finishing last season strongly despite Schalke’s struggles, and starring for Joachim Löw’s world champions as they lifted the Confederations Cup, scoring three goals in the World Cup precursor in Russia this summer and being voted the third-best player of the tournament.
Now in his fifth season with Schalke since moving from Bochum as a teenager, Goretzka plays with an authority that belies his youth. He's the fulcrum where defence meets attack and the man relied upon to provide thrust and quality in his box-to-box midfield role. As he has matured physically and technically, he has developed into one of the most consistent and effective young players in the Bundesliga, and is so highly regarded inside the Veltins-Arena that he's the club’s vice-captain at 22.
It’s looking increasingly likely that the 12-cap Germany international will be playing his football elsewhere next season, though, and a move to any of the aforementioned superclubs would not flatter the youngster; his skill-set is so complete that he could just as well become as vital at the Allianz Arena or Camp Nou as he is in Gelsenkirchen.
If comparing his attributes against a list of skills desirable in the ideal box-to-box midfielder, Goretzka ticks all the boxes: he's physically imposing and tremendously athletic; he's positionally responsible with sound defensive instincts; and he can burst forward to initiate attacks, equally proficient as scorer or creator.
In the above image, taken from Schalke’s recent trip to Werder Bremen, we see Goretzka’s stifling ability in fill effect. The former Bochum man spots that an opponent is about to receive the ball in space inside the Schalke penalty area. With the away side’s defence visibly passive, Goretzka acts, taking responsibility and eliminating the danger.
Goretzka races to meet the opposition player as he receives the ball and engages him in a physical yet controlled challenge, preventing Werder from progressing toward goal.
He then cleanly wins possession before carrying the ball away from goal into the corner and clearing to safety, exhibiting not only his defensive instincts but also his game intelligence and ability to assess risk and identify the least dangerous course of action.
Finely tuned though his game is without the ball, and all backed up by an undying work ethic, Goretzka’s primary value is in transition, pushing his team forward and transforming defence into attack when the ball is won.
As fast transitions become an increasingly important aspect of the game, having a player with Goretzka’s level of ball progression is invaluable.
In this image, we see Goretzka collect the ball deep inside his own half in a game against Chile for Germany in the Confederations cup. With space to run into, his first thought is to take his team forward and put the opposition on the back foot.
Driving Germany on, Goretzka carries the ball up to the edge of the Chile penalty area, progressing 60 yards in a matter of seconds. The speed and directness of his play has clearly thrown the South American champion’s backline into disarray, losing their shape and creating space for Timo Werner (circled blue).
Goretzka spots the RB Leipzig man’s run towards the far post and expertly picks him out to create a chance, weaving the ball between four Chilean defenders.
This time, in a Confederations Cup tie against Mexico, Goretzka picks up the ball inside his own half, profiting from an opponent’s loose header. Again, his first thought is to push his team forward.
Drawing the opposition toward him, Goretzka creates space for an overlapping run from a team-mate, whom he picks out with a nicely-weighted pass into the open acreage on the right flank.
Rather than standing and admiring his handiwork, Goretzka continues his run, looking to pick up a pocket of space on the edge of the Mexico penalty area. When the ball is returned to him 20 yards from goal, he sweeps a superb first-time finish beyond Guillermo Uchoa.
Goretzka now has six international goals from 12 appearances for Germany, and has three in seven for Schalke already this term, as he continues to add goals to his game. His readiness to take responsibility for his own development is among the most impressive facets of the No.8’s personality.
“You always try to improve all areas of your game,” he told the German football federation’s official website earlier this year. “I also think I’m tactically and mentally strong. But I also know that I can still improve all aspects of my game. I hope that I haven’t reached my peak yet.”
With his best years ahead of him and his rapid development showing no signs of slowing down, Goretzka would surely be valued upwards of £50 million in the current market. It’s no mystery, then, that every top club in Europe is investigating the possibility of getting him for free next summer.
But as the 2018 World Cup begins to creep into view, and with his new-found status as a key player for the pre-tournament favourites, Goretzka’s focus will remain trained intently on his performances on the pitch, unaffected by swirling rumours about high-profile moves.
“I do not want to say anything about the transfer rumours, I’m focusing on the Confederations Cup,” he told Sky Sports as interest from Bayern Munich intensified this summer, proving unfazed by transfer speculation. “I’m not going to give state-of-play updates, but if there are facts, I will announce them. I’m not the type to be impressed by newspaper reports. I know what my qualities are, but I will not build myself up.”
Goretzka’s feet are placed firmly on the ground, and they’re doing the talking for him.
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