Musiala, Guirassy, ​​Kane – the topics before the Bundesliga restart

As of: January 7, 2026 8:42 a.m

The Bundesliga starts the new year with an English week. The topics that fans discuss in addition to the sporting events revolve around returnees, goal records, long-running favorites, controversial dreams and even shaky coaches.

Jamal Musiala – the returnee

The one who not only the Bayern fans are eagerly waiting for is a real bearer of hope. The Munich team would probably become champions without Jamal Musiala, but the German national team’s chances at the World Cup in the summer should increase significantly thanks to the fit 22-year-old.

Musiala’s broken fibula, which has paralyzed him since the summer, has healed. Head coach Vincent Kompany recently gave hope that Musiala could be back in Bayern’s starting line-up in January. “That would be our ideal plan”said the Belgian.

Dino Toppmöller – the wobbler

Eintracht Frankfurt is currently seventh in the table with 25 points – at the same time last season, the Hessians were in third place (with 27 points). And despite the small difference, coach Dino Toppmöller is criticized. The reason: The latest trend speaks against Eintracht. Frankfurt have only won one of their last six competitive games and conceded 30 goals in the first 15 matchdays (only Heidenheim conceded more).

The last time there were so many goals at the same time was 41 years ago. Nine goals conceded in the final quarter of an hour alone (from the 76th minute). However, Eintracht board spokesman Axel Hellmann demonstratively supported Toppmöller in the Eintracht podcast and spoke of an “absolute track record”.

Lennart Karl – the visionary

The unpleasant reactions of some Bayern supporters were to be expected. Germany’s super talent Lennart Karl only expressed his wishes. “FC Bayern is a very big club. It’s a dream to play there. But at some point I definitely want to go to Real Madrid,” the 17-year-old said bluntly at an FCB fan club meeting shortly before the start of the 2026 Bundesliga. “This is my dream club, but it stays between us. Of course, Bayern is something very special.”

It is remarkable that the young man is no longer even allowed to state his dreams publicly without comment. But at least it speaks for his self-confidence that after a few good months in sport he is already formulating goals at the highest European level. Many thousands of young footballers have this dream. Karl could even fulfill this one day.

Said El Mala – the artist

Said El Mala has thrilled the Bundesliga since the start of the season with his spectacular dribbling and goals (6 goals and 3 assists in 15 games) – even though he was only in the starting line-up six times. There was even an invitation to the national team from national coach Julian Nagelsmann last November; participation in the World Cup for the 19-year-old is certainly not a utopia, but an increasingly realistic scenario.

For FC coach Lukas Kwasniok, the whiz kid from Cologne is an “artist” who he carefully embeds into his sporting plans. Too cautious for some fans. They would like to see the Krefeld native in the starting line-up more often in the future. Will Kwasniok listen to her?

Serhou Guirassy – the late bloomer

So far, not everything is going well for Serhou Guirassy. The French native with Guinean citizenship has scored just five goals for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga this season. In contrast, there are six missed big chances – no other player missed a clear shot opportunity so often (Guirassy only used one of his most recent 23 shots on goal in the Bundesliga).

But: The 29-year-old BVB attacker was also a late bloomer last season. Last season, Guirassy only had six goals to his name after 15 match days; after the winter break, he shot Dortmund into the Champions League with another 15 goals. If he were to achieve a similar result again, everyone involved would certainly be satisfied.

Manuel Neuer – the long-running favorite

It will take until the end of March or beginning of April before he announces his decision. Then all football fans will know whether Manuel Neuer will still be in goal for FC Bayern beyond the summer or whether he will end his career. The 39-year-old recently announced this. The criterion: his physical performance. If he can survive the physical demands for another year, a contract extension would probably be possible – but only then.

The 2014 world champion has been the undisputed number one in Munich’s goal for almost 15 years. Neuer had previously been in goal at Schalke 04 for five years.

Harry Kane – the cold-blooded one

Harry Kane led Bayern onto the field as captain for the first time on matchday 15 in Heidenheim – and with his goal he collected the 100th scorer point in the Bundesliga (81 goals, 19 assists). Since detailed data collection began (1992/93), Kane reached this mark earlier than any other player – in the 78th game.

If he continues like this in a cold-blooded manner and continues to score 1.27 goals per game, the English international striker can even break the mark of 41 goals in a season – set in the 2020/21 season by Poland’s Robert Lewandowski, also in the FCB jersey. The 32-year-old Kane would then even score 43 goals this season.

Kasper Hjulmand – the solid one

The early change of coach at Bayer 04 Leverkusen after just two matchdays made headlines, but the move from Erik ten Hag to Kasper Hjulmand was an absolute hit in terms of sport. Since the Dane has been coaching the Werkself, only league leaders Bayern Munich have scored more points (Bayer 28; FCB 35), celebrated more victories (Bayer 9; FCB 11) and scored more goals (Bayer 29; FCB 46) than the Rhinelanders. No other coach in Bayer’s long history has won as many Bundesliga games as Hjulmand (69 percent).

And all of this even though the 53-year-old had no time to prepare. Now Hjulmand has at least had a few days in which he can give his team even more structure with his solid work. Bayer 04 Leverkusen will be a force to be reckoned with in the coming months.