Are Borussia Dortmund’s big signings a result of Reus’ loyalty?

Marco Reus made the surprising decision to stick with struggling Borussia Dortmund amid links to some of the most prestigious clubs in the world. Is this decision responsible for the blockbuster summer transfer success of 2016?

Flashback to mid-winter of 2015. Borussia Dortmund sits in dead last on the Bundesliga table. Morale is at its lowest point since the bankruptcy crisis in 2003. Key players are getting poached year after year after year and Jurgen Klopp, the manager who once could do no wrong, has seem to run out of ideas.

Marco Reus, the club’s current best player and heart and soul of the team, has a contract with a buyout clause and is being linked with some of the richest and highest profile clubs across Europe. Players with less passion and loyalty would have gotten out at the first chance. Reus, however, proved that he is indeed a rare breed not often seen in today’s world of professional athletes.

The news that Reus had extended his stay in Dortmund and squashed the rumors of his intentions to abandon his hometown club, much to the dismay of the Spanish and English tabloid writers, broke on February 10^th of 2015. With it came more than just an extension until 2019, he agreed to remove all buyout clauses within his previous contract, including one that allowed him to leave should BVB have been relegated.

On his official Facebook page Reus wrote, “When I signed for Dortmund, I said that I want to achieve great things with the club. I have the feeling that it’s not over yet, especially given our difficult situation right now. I stand by my words. You win and you lose together. It’s also a decision for life. That’s why it took me so long to decide.” This sent a message throughout the football world that true loyalty does indeed still exist.

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Jumping back to current day, Borussia Dortmund is again struggling to hold on to their stars, despite a fantastic return to form. Their captain center back, superstar central midfielder, and rock solid defensive midfield master have all agreed to move on to other clubs. It appeared that Dortmund was again set to be frugal buyers in the transfer window and cover for their losses by investing in their future, which they did so in a gigantic way with the addition of several youngsters with world-class potential.

Reus is a world-class talent. He is, when healthy, a sure-fire German national team player and one that garners serious pitch time. These players often have friends who are also world-class players. Reus is no different. Reus has been best friends with none other than Mario Götze since he came to Dortmund in 2012, so much so that the pair earned the nickname Gotzeus, a portmanteau of their names.

Despite Götze’s exit, the two remained close friends tweeting each other happy birthday and commenting on their recent successes or otherwise. After scoring the winning goal in the World Cup 2014 final, the first thing Götze did after getting his medal was hold up the shirt of his best friend Reus, whom was clearly on his mind as Reus was absent due to an injury. With the prospect of being reunited for Euro 2016, Götze expressed on social media how excited he was to play with Reus again. However, after the news of another injury to Reus and exclusion from the Euro 2016 squad, Götze tweeted his disappointment, complete with a hilarious twitter blunder.

Götze, struggling to find meaningful playing time at Bayern, had been lined up for an exit with incoming boss Ancelotti refusing to confirm his role in the club. Despite interest from Liverpool, Götze elected to return to Dortmund, despite his less than favored status there after his betrayal three years prior. After the news was announced, Reus took to twitter to welcome his BFF back to the club in which they formed their brotherly bond.

Had Reus not decided to stick around at Borussia, it is probable that Götze would have avoided the humiliation of returning to the equivalent of an ex-girlfriend after a nasty break-up, with his tail between his legs. Afterall, Liverpool is now headed by Jürgen Klopp, who made him a household name in Germany just three years ago.

Reus perhaps isn’t the only player whose friendship with a German national team player had an impact on an incoming transfer however. Just a day after Götze’s move was made public, news broke that Andre Schurrle was also on his way to BVB.

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Although less publicized, Reus and Schurrle are good friends as well. Götze and Schurrle, however, are much closer friends. The three of them have gone on vacations together in the past and frequently spend time together on international duty. In fact, while negotiations for both players were undoubtedly occurring, Götze and Schurrle were on vacation together, according to Tuchel. Upon the official news breaking, Schurrle told the press how excited he was to play for a club like Dortmund.

It isn’t crazy to assume he asked Götze’s opinions on such a move beforehand, as they were most likely together while both were in contact with agents and club officials.

It is not a given that this trio of attacking midfield best friends will instantly click into on-field success, but it is safe to say that had Reus not shown his loyalty to his hometown club a year and a half ago, Borussia Dortmund could be in an entirely different set of circumstances headed into 2016-2017.