The Germany international earned himself a move to Bayern in the summer of 2013 after a string of fine performances for Borussia Dortmund, but has so far been unable to live up to the high expectations at the Allianz Arena.
Elber feels Gotze's inability to replicate his Dortmund form for Bayern is largely down due to the different conditions at the Bavarians, where he needs Pep Guardiola to make him feel loved.
"There is a huge difference between how he played for Dortmund and how he plays for Bayern," Elber told AZ.
"You play different when you feel happy somewhere. Everything seems to go automatically then. When you are unhappy somewhere, you put too much thought into everything you do. And things simply don't work out then.
"I don't know how his relationship with Pep Guardiola is, but Gotze looks a bit like a Brazilian to me. You have to flatter him and boost his confidence. You have to tell him that you are there for him to help him.
"It is hard when there are already doubts before the season has even started. Bayern should back him rather than sell him."
Gotze, who has been linked with Scudetto holders Juventus, has a contract with Bayern until June 2017.
