According to The Athletic, despite Goretzka's decline in recent years, his physical attributes remain solid. Aston Villa has been attracted by his physicality and leadership.

The report indicates that Leon Goretzka's career at Bayern Munich did not end as originally envisioned.

The German midfielder concluded his eight-year spell at the Allianz Arena after joining Aston Villa on a free transfer. During his time at Bayern, he won every honour available, playing a crucial role in the club's golden era. During this period, Bayern won 7 Bundesliga titles, 3 DFB-Pokal victories, and the Champions League in 2020.

Goretzka, now 31 years old, was one of the most prominent midfielders in world football at that time. For two or three years, he was even considered one of Europe's finest box-to-box midfielders. His robust physique, fierce tackling, combined with excellent offensive instincts and well-timed runs into the box, allowed him to complement Bayern's more technically refined and tactically astute players.

However, before his departure this summer, Goretzka had become an anachronistic player, a symbol of a declining era. This situation requires explanation.

In 2021, he signed an exceptionally lucrative five-year contract. Like several other players such as Gnabry and Kingsley Coman, he tied his future to Bayern, but they also represented a significant portion of Bayern's wage bill.

As time passed and his influence waned, Goretzka became a target for criticism. When he joined the club in 2018 (free transfer from Schalke to Bayern), he was initially the ideal signing. At that time, Thiago Alcântara still orchestrated Bayern's midfield, Javi Martínez provided defensive cover, and Goretzka offered precisely the qualities the team needed.

However, as the team's structure and his teammates' configuration underwent significant changes, Goretzka's intrinsic value on the pitch gradually diminished, and public perception shifted. Increasing attention began to focus on his shortcomings and amplify them.

Goretzka is not a playmaking midfielder capable of orchestrating matches; his passing range and technical delicacy are not exceptional. Moreover, his tactical awareness is not among the team's best, and the team cannot simply put him on the pitch and expect him to provide consistent technical quality to drive the overall attack.

Instead, at his best, he was more of a catalyst for change: suddenly appearing in the box, exploiting space, or making midfield battles extremely uncomfortable for opponents. Such a player always requires the right chemistry and complementary teammates. Later, he increasingly lacked these conditions. This also meant that when Bayern attempted to inaugurate a new era, the substantial contract he signed in 2021 made it nearly impossible for the club to sell him, making him appear as someone who had overstayed his welcome.

The prevailing discourse among critics was that he was content to fulfil a contract that would not be offered to him elsewhere. But such a statement is not entirely fair. Perhaps his importance to the first team had diminished, and perhaps he was no longer at his peak, but in recent seasons, Goretzka has consistently fought for his career.

In summer 2024, Kompany arrived at Bayern with the task of overhauling the squad. Kimmich would serve as the midfield pivot, Aleksandar Pavlović had also been promoted from the youth academy to the first team, and Palhinha joined from Fulham. These three players would provide the foundation of the team's midfield unit, and Goretzka was advised to leave or accept a significantly reduced role.

Goretzka chose to stay. However, while contractual factors may have influenced this decision, his attitude remains commendable. Kompany generously praised the midfielder's meticulous professionalism during daily training and acknowledged his mature and composed response to his precarious position within the team. Even with prolonged lack of consistent playing time, he remained focused and did not let external doubt and difficulties diminish his fighting spirit.

Mid-season, with his form restored, Goretzka finally returned to the team's rotation, earning more playing opportunities. That season, Bayern withstood intense competitive pressure and reclaimed the Bundesliga title.

Although Goretzka never truly "returned to his former level" and was no longer the dominant player he once was, he delivered exceptional performances at both domestic and European level. Thanks to his periodically brilliant performances, he was even recalled to the German national team, allowing him to prove his worth again.

In March 2025, Bayern travelled to Stuttgart, one of the last major obstacles before securing the championship title. In that match, Goretzka, back as a regular starter, faced Stiller, who was then, and remains, considered one of the most highly regarded German midfielders in the Bundesliga. Goretzka completely dominated him. He scored a goal and forced a serious error from Stiller through his pressing, ultimately leading to a 3-1 victory for Bayern.

In summer 2025, history repeated itself. He was again expected to leave—and even encouraged to do so—but he chose to stay nonetheless. Bayern experienced an exceptionally strong 2025-26 season. Early in the season, they also signed Bischof. Young, of German descent, and possessing a very good left foot, Bischer was clearly a superior choice for the midfield system Kompany wanted to build and more likely to excite the fans. Throughout the season, Goretzka played fewer than 200 minutes in the Champions League, and there was never any real hope of a contract extension.

But he remains a good player. Those prerequisites still exist. He may no longer be as physically dominant as he once was, but in the right system and with the right support, he can still play an enormous role. The Premier League is a physically demanding championship. Goretzka is still the kind of player who excels in duels, can press effectively, makes well-timed runs into the box, and wins challenges.

Recruiting a player in the declining phase of his career is inherently risky. Even more so if that player has won every club honour. However, while Goretzka's importance at Bayern has diminished in recent years, his performances have never been those of a fringe player. He has always played with the same intensity, has always shown the commitment expected of a serial winner, and has generally found a way to contribute to the team.

Villa clearly noticed this. After Amadou Onana's long-term injury, Villa needed to replace his physical presence and other attributes. After selling Konsa, Tielemans, and Digne this summer, the club also felt it necessary to recruit a player capable of setting standards in the dressing room and filling the lack of experience and leadership the team had lost.

To address these issues, Goretzka could be one of the most suitable players on the market. He will come to England to play, to compete, and hopes to continue pursuing victory, as he has done throughout his career.

Traduit par IA.

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