Has the Time Come for Bayern Munich to Sell Mario Gotze?

The announcement of Mario Gotze's signing for Bayern Munich in the spring of 2013 was one that sent shockwaves around the Bundesliga.

Then 20 years of age, the playmaker was touted as Germany's best talent since Sebastian Deisler—a crowning achievement after more than a decade's worth of reforms in the Bundesliga academy system. It was also a symbol of Borussia Dortmund's resistance against the traditional status quo that placed Bayern as perennial champions with any rivals falling back after no more than a couple years of true competition.

Three years later, it's almost hard to see how Gotze's move could have been a big deal in the first place.

The Germany international remains in national team manager Joachim Low's good graces, but has been reduced to a substitute's role under Bayern manager Pep Guardiola, and one in whom the coach has placed little faith.

The number of minutes Gotze has played despite having missed about four months with a groin injury may be deceiving. He actually has played rather consistently in the Bundesliga since the beginning of April.

However, it's quite clear this is only the result of Guardiola rotating his team to rest his starters for the Champions League. Even Sebastian Rode has had a few run-outs during the same stretch.

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#FreeGotze pic.twitter.com/y669DhF5Dm

— Walter Paneque (@wpaneque) May 3, 2016"

More telling is Gotze's absence for the entire Champions League round of 16 tie against Juventus, and the semi-finals with Atletico Madrid. He could have been useful in both matches, with his side often playing from behind.

Gotze's only use in the knockout rounds came against Benfica, playing the final five minutes of the first leg and the last minute of the second.

From the perspective of Gotze, a 23-year-old with enormous talent but a damaged ego, it's completely understandable why a move would be in order this summer. True, Guardiola will leave. But at the same time, it's uncertain if incoming trainer Carlo Ancelotti will put his faith in Gotze.

Gotze is a player who's down on his luck and one that would require a substantial tactical change in order to play at his best: If Gotze were played in his favored No. 10 position, it would require less attacking contribution from the wings in a 4-3-1-2 or 3-4-1-2, or the move of Thomas Muller into a wide position in a 4-2-3-1.

In a team fully stocked with wingers, there is no need to put so much reliance on Gotze, especially at this stage of his career.

Gotze's situation may be poor for the player, but it's worth noting it isn't Bayern's concern.

What is an issue for the Bavarians is the wage he commands. SportBild reported in 2014 (in German) that Gotze earns €12 million per season. At the time, that was Bayern's highest wage alongside Franck Ribery. However, since then many stars of the current Bayern team have been offered bumper contracts.

In December, Bild (in German) reported that Thomas Muller's new deal amounts to €15 million per year, and Jerome Boateng's adds up to €12 million per year.

Manuel Neuer also extended his contract recently, with a wage reported by Bild (in German) to be €15 million per year. These are the biggest contracts awarded, but Bayern's wage bill has also inflated with new deals for players like David Alaba and Javi Martinez.

Bayern may be doing very well financially, but with their wages skyrocketing, they can't afford to pay Gotze so much to ride the bench. Better to sell Gotze and replace him with a player who isn't damaged goods, who will cost less and be patient to start as a substitute before working towards a spot in the starting lineup. 

@Mr_Bundesliga