It's a good argument, because without a doubt Dortmund's struggles as a team do affect individual players. However, I also followed the player specifically, after all, I wasn't watching Dortmund for Dortmund, but for Gundogan and Reus; and the player himself struggled, independently of the team, even if the team did not help him. Gundogan has been slower, not just physically, but mentally. But the biggest impact has been his defensive contributions. Before he got injured he could break down the opponent with his passes, movement and vision, but he would also contribute a lot defensively with high work-rate and intense pressing. I don't see the same work-rate, the same intense pressing and the same agility and movement, and it is more noticeable in the defensive side.
It's a bit of a similar situation to the one currently with Iniesta. You know the way the team is playing doesn't really do him any favors, but you also see the player himself is not quite up to the same level he was before.
I say this, without also saying he could very well regain his form. It is not impossible and he is still young enough that if his injury was not debilitation, he could regain his top form, I just haven't seen it yet and it will remain an "if" in my book.
If he does regain form, it will definitely be a messed opportunity for Barca, but then again, we are transfer banned and could have done very little to nothing anyways.
