Germany striker Timo Werner believes Mario Gotze has been wronged, but overcome unrealistic expectations attached after the 2014 World Cup to prove he still belongs at the top.
Gotze, 26, has endured a steady fall from a grace since firing his country to the ultimate glory with an extra-time winner in the final in Brazil four years ago.
The injury-prone playmaker left Bayern Munich to re-join Borussia Dortmund in 2016 but the move has not gone to plan, with a metabolic disorder limiting his playing time and new boss Lucien Favre yet to afford him a Bundesliga start this term.