Mkhitaryan’s Exit Is A Surprise – Schmelzer

Borussia Dortmund left-back Marcel Schmelzer said the players were “surprised” to hear about Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s impending transfer to Manchester United.

Dortmund had indicated on several occasions last season that Mkhitaryan, whose contract expires in 2017, was likely to commit his future to the club, but they confirmed at the weekend that they had accepted United’s offer for the 27-year-old.

The attacking midfielder had joined Dortmund from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2013 but only hit top form last season, when he scored 23 goals and provided 32 assists across all competitions, and Schmelzer suggested the Armenia international had planned to stay on.

“I was surprised that ‘Micki’ decided to make the move after all,” Schmelzer told reporters at a news conference following Borussia’s first training session of the new season. “Many players after the season talked to him about his plans.

“In the end, all you can do is to accept the decision.”

Mkhitaryan is set to become the third key player to leave this summer, with captain Mats Hummels having joined Bayern Munich and Ilkay Gundogan having headed to Manchester City.

BVB have already welcomed six new players to their squad, and have announced that they will make further reinforcements prior to the season.

Schmelzer said: “It’s a major upheaval when your captain leaves and also a player like ‘Micki,’ who’s had a hand in 55 goals last season.

“The key now will be to offset it as a team. We have signed a lot of talented players, who will have to grow into their role. It will be difficult in any case because you can’t replace Mats and ‘Micki’ like-for-like.”

Dortmund finished runners-up in the Bundesliga last season as Thomas Tuchel revived the club following Jurgen Klopp’s disappointing final campaign, when they finished seventh.

However, Schmelzer, who has been tipped to succeed Hummels as club captain, dismissed the notion that they could secure the title this time around.

“We have lost three important players,” he said. “It would therefore be overly confident for us to say that we want to take on Bayern this season.

“Leverkusen have also considerably strengthened, which is another reason for us to be wary as we look behind us. Our target is to be playing in the Champions League once more next season, so to ensure a top-three finish.”