Mario Gotze: Why Germany Star Is Transfer Target for Major European Clubs

One of Europe's rising star talents, Mario Gotze, is reportedly attracting interest from some of the biggest clubs around—and little wonder, given the talent he possesses.

The Borussia Dortmund playmaker has been linked with the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United, as well as Arsenal (via Metro), though it seems probable that he will remain with Dortmund a while longer at least.

At 20 years of age he has a seemingly limitless career ahead of him, wherever he eventually decides to go.

Here are the reasons why so many top teams rate him as one of the best talents around.

Technical Ability on the Ball

We'll begin with the blindingly obvious; Gotze is one of the most skilled and adept technicians on the ball currently playing in a major European league.

His first touch and close control lend themselves to his ability to create danger as much, or more, as his dribbling capabilities. Gotze can control the ball in an instant, with either foot or his chest, and is so aware of his surroundings that he can manipulate the ball away from an oncoming defender or towards an attacking teammate in the same motion as the initial piece of control.

The way Gotze positions his body to receive the ball is also key; even when playing with his back to goal he will angle himself in a way to be able to spin and create danger, or simply move into a space on the pitch to be able to pick the most effective pass.

Either foot for passing, an effectiveness from set pieces and skill in a one-on-one situation—he basically has all the tools to be the perfect attacking threat.

Consistency and Reliability in Final Third Impact

It's all well and good being a terrific player on the ball, but being able to deliver the goods on a consistent basis has been the stumbling block for many a talented attacker down the years.

Mario Gotze comes up trumps here; no worries about his effectiveness on a week-to-week basis, whether against good or great defences.

This season alone, Gotze has clocked up eight goals in 24 Bundesliga games, mainly from a central attacking midfield position, as well as another two in the Champions League. Add in 10 assists to the mix too, and he has been directly involved in 20 goals so far this term in the two major competitions Dortmund feature in.

In league play, he records an 84 percent pass completion rate, and averages more than two key passes each and every Bundesliga game. He also averages three dribbles per game, making him a danger in the final third in many ways.

Taking into account international matches and German Cup games, Gotze records 17 goals and 17 assists in total this season—34 goals scored or created in 43 senior appearances, all told.

Europe-Wide Reliance on Effective No.10s

The attacking playmaker has long been seen as something of a luxury option for many teams, with only the very top sides hoarding the top No.10s who make a difference on a game-to-game basis.

Two banks of four, or a 4-5-1/4-3-3 approach, was always a hindrance to the No.10 who found himself shoved out wide to a less risky position, or else expected to function as a hard-working player in a 4-4-1-1.

No longer! Nowadays, bundles of top teams around the continent employ a No.10 of one variety or another, with the 4-2-3-1 formation in particular the most widely-used tactic in Europe's top leagues, and one which relies in no small part on the attacking ability of the No.10.

Real Madrid are such admirers that they have themselves an entire small collection of players who can work the attacking central midfield role, including Kaka, Luka Modric and Gotze's German teammate, Mesut Ozil.

Finding the perfect balance between link-man and second-forward can make the difference between a Champions League place and, well, not; or even the difference between a title challenge and an also-ran.

Coming up with the money to buy one of the best around might be another matter, of course.

Versatility, Youth, Winning Experience and a Hugely Valuable Commodity

There are so many more facets to Mario Gotze's game which make him a desirable target for Europe's top teams.

His vision and creativity are hugely important—and impressive—in his playmaking role, but he also possesses the speed and stamina to play a wider role if needed. His versatility will effectively let him perform well from any position in the attack.

Gotze already counts two Bundesliga titles to his name, as well as a German Cup win, and has won over 20 international caps and scored five goals for one of the national teams with the strongest depth in attack—and all this by the age of 20.

As he continues to improve tactically and mentally as he gets older, he could genuinely become one of the biggest match-winners around, up there with the likes of the Ballon d'Or nominees.

A big showing in next season's Champions League, as well as progressing further in this season's event, and a successful performance in the 2014 World Cup will likely see him hailed as one of the best players in the world.

An estimated market value of in excess of €40 million could easily go higher in that case.

Gotze is the real deal, and the biggest and most successful clubs in the world will be eagerly awaiting the moment he decides to leave Borussia Dortmund and try his luck elsewhere.

Follow @karlmatchett

Statistics and player data taken from WhoScored.com and TransferMarkt.co.uk