"Mats Hummels and Niklas Süle are both fantastic defenders" - Borussia Dortmund captain Marco Reus
Borussia Dortmund captain Marco Reus has given his two cents' worth on "the best German defender" debate, saying there is little to separate Mats Hummels and Niklas Süle.
Hummels, 30, fell behind Süle, 23, in the pecking order at Bayern Munich last season, before returning to former club Dortmund on a three-year deal earlier this summer.
BVB sporting director labelled Hummels "the best German defender" soon after, but Reus says both players have their merits.
"Mats and Niklas are both fantastic central defenders," Reus told Germany's leading sports specialist magazine, kicker. "They possess all the necessary qualities: they're good in the tackle and in the build-up.
"Niklas is perhaps a bit faster than Mats, but Mats has a better eye for his opponent and is better in the build-up.
"It's not a debate we need to enter into, though: both are very good."
Unsurprisingly, Reus has welcomed the return of 2014 FIFA World Cup winner Hummels, whom he played with at Dortmund between 2012 and 2016 and at international level for Germany.
"He has unbelievable quality," explained Dortmund's skipper. "We expect a lot from him. It's always a big help when you have players in the team who bring certain personalities to the side."
Hummels is one of a handful of new faces to arrive at Dortmund this summer, along with Julian Brandt, Thorgan Hazard, Mateu Morey and Nico Schulz.
Reus is optimistic they will make a difference after the Black-Yellows surrendered a nine-point lead over Bayern to finish second in last season's Bundesliga.
"We've been busy in the transfer market and made a big step forward last season.
"Our aim should be to challenge for the title again, and go further in the DFB Cup and Champions League - but it's down to us."
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