The ex-defender believes the World Cup final match-winner no longer enjoys his football having moved to Bayern Munich
Former Germany international Jurgen Kohler feels Mario Gotze has got worse as a player since joining Bayern Munich.
The gifted attacking midfielder left Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2013 and has since developed into an important first-team member at the reigning Bundesliga champions.
Nevertheless, Kohler feels Gotze has yet to replicate his BVB form at the Allianz Arena and believes pressure on the 22-year-old’s shoulders is playing its part.
“I have to be honest and say that I do not like Gotze’s performances at Bayern at all,” Kohler wrote in his column for Kicker.
“Of course, he might have scored some goals, but he seems to be lacking joy on the pitch. I no longer see his breathtaking individual actions.
“For me, he was a better player when he was still at Dortmund.
“Of course, the pressure at a club like Bayern could play a part in all this. They are ready to hang you out to dry when you come in second. Maybe this is holding him back a bit.”
Gotze, who scored Germany’s winning goal in the World Cup final, has netted nine times in 24 Bundesliga appearances so far this season.