Julian Draxler: The Prodigal Son Needs to Return Home
- Chuck Smith
- Mar 13, 2018
- 3 min read
Among the many story lines surrounding the Paris Saint-Germain club this season has been the recent unrest with German international Julian Draxler.
Draxler, who was a standout on the Confederations Cup team for Germany last summer, has been lost in the shuffle with a tumultuous Les Rouge-et-Bleu squad in the 2017-2018 season. If it is not the uncertainty of coach Unai Emery's future after a stunning UEFA Champions League exit, it has been the allegedly rocky relationship between several of the teams stars, including the injured Neymar and star striker Edinson Cavani that has contributed to the unrest. In addition, Draxler's own critical commentary over Emery's game plan and how the manager utilized Draxler during the match has created an even bigger void between player and coach.
Even with Neymar on the shelf for an extended period, Draxler has yet to find the field with any consistency for PSG. These years of Draxler's career are too valuable to be mired on the bench until his contract expires in 2021. A move the Premier League, while potentially financially attractive, may result in the same situation for Draxler. The 24-year old is ready for consistent field time and needs to be in a spot where he will get it against top caliber competition.
If he wants to show the world his talent and ultimately make himself an attractive free agent when his deal expires, he needs to reassert himself in his homeland after a turbulent exodus in January 2017.
As it turns out, Draxler forced his way out of Wolfsburg at the right time. Since his exit, Wolfsburg has been a dumpster fire of epic proportions. It is time. however, for Draxler to come back to the Bundesliga to get his career back on track. Draxler is a skilled offensive player, who has displayed leadership and gained the trust of Die Mannschaft coach Joachim Low. He is entering his prime and wallowing away in an inferior league on a combustible team is not where he should be spending these key years of his career.
While every German on Earth is seemingly link to Bayern Munich - and Draxler could be a fit on the wing for Die Roten - a return to the Bundesliga to a side like Borussia Dortmund, Schalke 04, Bayer Leverkusen, or Borussia Monchengladbach would instantly improve each team and give him an opportunity to put some luster back on his own star.
Even though Draxler's influence on those clubs would be tremendous, a transfer to RB Leipzig would be the best as Die Roten Bullen has a young, athletic core capable of at least challenging Bayern Munich with the proper complimentary pieces. Leipzig, however, has its own financial constraints that makes such a move for Draxler unlikely. If a free transfer or a loan could be worked out, however, Draxler would be a dynamic fit on a team desperate for credibility and player leadership.
Draxler's fractured relationship with Emery (hot seat notwithstanding) can probably not be salvaged beyond this season. Even if PSG moves on from Emery, it is hard-pressed to think that Draxler is be viewed as anything, but a depth player in Paris.
The time is now to find a new home and maybe a strong World Cup showing, combined with a chance for Paris Saint-Germain to cash out will present Draxler with yet another fresh start; one that he desperately needs if he wants to get where he believes he needs to be.
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