How Bayern Munich Can Get the Best out of Mario Gotze in 2015/16

When Bayern Munich signed Mario Gotze in 2013, the young attacking midfielder was meant to take the next step in his career, affirming the potential he showed at Borussia Dortmund and establishing himself as one of the very best players in the world.

During two seasons in Bavaria, however, the 23-year-old has stagnated, his level of performance actually declining in recent months. Bayern and Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer said via Sky (h/t ESPN) last month that the player needs to "grow up" if he is to achieve his potential. And now there are even rumors emerging that he could leave Bayern this summer, with CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge recently (via SportBild, h/t ESPN) leaving the option of a sale open, provided a sufficient offer is made.

For now, Gotze has a contract that is valid until the end of June, 2017. And until he is sold, Bayern will have to aim to get the best out of the player, who only a few years ago burst into the international spotlight as he went from under-17 European Championship winner to fully capped Germany international in just over a year, becoming the youngest debutant for Die Nationalmannschaft since Uwe Seeler.

Getting the most out of Gotze is a complicated process, as he has become more and more broken as a player in recent months. The first thing needed is to give him a set, defined role in the team. When he first moved to Munich, he was a central midfielder who played ahead of an anchor but not fully in a "No. 10" role. He was a bit deeper, with Franck Ribery performing playmaking duties. He later played as a "false nine" in the center forward position, on the wing, and in his natural role behind a main striker. Although Bayern had invested significantly to bring Gotze to the Allianz Arena, the player was a utility man, a backup for whoever needed replacing.

Victor R. Caivano/Associated Press

Gotze's versatility was useful to Bayern in that he could fill in for many players, but him being used in a wide range of roles didn't exactly help him settle. When Ribery moved to Munich, he was immediately the full-time left-winger. When Louis van Gaal attempted to use him behind the main striker, the Frenchman rebelled. His role was constantly defined, and that helped him establish the means within which he could play in order to help the team. For Gotze, that has changed regularly.

The role in which Gotze has most thrived in the past, and the one which he is most naturally fills, is that of a playmaker behind the main striker. He became a superstar at Dortmund in that position, his interplay with center forward Robert Lewandowski being a major part of his development. He's fortunate to have left BVB only to rejoin forces with the Polish forward, but playing on the wing as he has in recent months inhibits the Germany international's interplay with his teammate.

Although blessed with magnificent technical skill, Gotze is not as explosively quick as Ribery, acceleration isn't his forte. This means that dribbling past full-backs as the Frenchman does and as is expected of wingers isn't exactly Gotze's strong point. In the center, he can use his agility, balance and upper-body strength to get the better of large, sometimes clumsy defenders, and play quick, one-touch passes to get past the back line. It suited him well in Dortmund, and if there's any role in which he can thrive at Bayern, it's the same.

However, simply playing consistently in a central attacking midfield position won't be enough for Gotze to achieve his potential. Absolutely vital to his progress is satisfaction of his need to be needed. Footballers often thrive on responsibility. Consider Carlos Tevez, an outcast at Manchester City who has been crucial for Juventus in the last two seasons as the Italian giants have won Serie A twice and most recently reached the Champions League final.

Gotze himself was once bolstered by responsibility, his fine performances carrying Bayern for much of September and October of last year. In a stretch of five appearances, he scored scored six goals and gave an assist during a period in which Ribery hardly played and Robben's minutes were limited, the Dutchman (as well as Thomas Muller) still recovering from a long World Cup campaign. Gotze's form soon subsided as Bayern's usual suspects resumed their usual places. The ex-Dortmund man was able to directly contribute to goals in just two of his side's last 22 Bundesliga games of the campaign and was benched for all but 14 minutes of the Champions League semifinals.

At this point, it's clear that Pep Guardiola no longer trusts the player who once was widely considered a prodigy. And unless that changes, Gotze will continue to fail at Bayern. What Gotze needs to succeed—a defined role in his natural position, the confidence of his coach and reliance from his teammates—may not be compatible with Bayern's needs. It's completely understandable that the German giants may not be willing to take a risk to accommodate Gotze, and it would be entirely sensible for them to target another big name. But if they are unable to land a superstar, they may be stuck with what they currently have. In that case, they will have little option than to accommodate Gotze and hope for the best.

@Mr_Bundesliga