From a personal point of view, Ryan Gravenberch can only look back on a mixed year at Bayern. But in the final phase of the season, of all things, it could be the Dutch top talent that counts. Will the 20-year-old use his unexpected chance and even become the X factor in the title fight?
Whenever the media talks about Ryan Gravenberch’s future role at FC Bayern, the topic of perseverance is always on the agenda.
For example, the “kicker” reported on Monday that “a little patience” was required for both the Munich team and the midfielder, who was signed as a top talent by Ajax Amsterdam last summer.
But Gravenberch in particular has had a hard time waiting patiently for the breakthrough in recent months. The 20-year-old has repeatedly played openly with thoughts of a change in the local media and expressed his wishes and ambitions, which briefly summarize as follows: More playing time in the current season and a new, more important role from 2023/24.
No wonder: last summer Gravenberch was presented as “one of the greatest talents in Europe” who “can give our team a lot”. But around eleven months later, there are only four starting eleven appearances and a meager 755 minutes of play in all competitions. In the Bundesliga, the Dutchman was never allowed on the field for more than one half.
However, this could change in the hot final phase of the season, of all things. Because Leon Goretzka, who has been in poor form for a long time and has recently been preferred to Gravenberch, will miss the away game against Werder Bremen (6:30 p.m.) next Saturday evening due to a yellow card suspension.
The hour – or more precisely the 90 minutes – of the central midfielder should have struck. It would be very surprising if Gravenberch didn’t play from the start again.
Gravenberch for Goretzka at Bayern?
Gravenberch already proved his importance against Hertha BSC when he came on as a substitute around half an hour before the end and made a significant contribution to his team’s two late goals by repeatedly keeping his midfield colleague Joshua Kimmich’s back free. He was able to get involved in the offensive game and score both goals for a 2-0 win – a quality that position rival Goretzka recently lacked.
It was not for nothing that Thomas Tuchel emphasized Gravenberch after the game against the Berliners. “Ryan made a very good game off the bench today,” said the coach, who had noticed how cleverly the Dutchman pulled the strings in midfield in the last half hour and also took part in the offensive game at the right moment. The 20-year-old was involved with opening passes both in the 2-0 and in the top chance to make it 3-0, which Leroy Sané missed in the final phase. Just before the final whistle, Gravenberch fired a ball at goal himself.
The coach didn’t reveal why Tuchel didn’t rely on Gravenberch’s pressing skills earlier, but acknowledged the Dutchman’s good training performance. Against Hertha, the Dutchman was one of those “who deserve to play”.
In Bremen, Gravenberch will be able to show, but also have to, that he can set impulses over the full distance – both defensively and offensively. Because at Ajax, the midfielder, who was committed for around 20 million euros, not only distinguished himself as a clearer and idea generator, but also as a goalscorer (25 points in 103 games). In Munich, depending on the situation, he only gets one goal and one assist.
Gravenberch should stay at Bayern
For Gravenberch, it is much more important to support Kimmich in the best possible way during the guest appearance on the Weser. Thanks to Gravenberch, he had freed himself from a small low against Hertha. Together, the duo got the midfield engine going again.
If the Dutchman also provides the same support in the headquarters against Werder and brings the mentality attributed to him by sports director Hasan Salihamidzic (“We love players like that”) onto the pitch, he could unexpectedly become the X-factor for the remaining games in which it’s about nothing less than the only title of the season that can still be achieved.
If the venture succeeds, then there should soon be a little more certainty for both sides in terms of the future. According to reports, the Munich bosses definitely want to rely on the 20-year-old, who has a working paper until 2027, in the next season anyway.
“I haven’t spoken to the club management yet, so I’ll wait and see what happens,” Gravenberch recently told Voetbal International.
“Perseverance is rewarded sooner or later – but usually later,” said the great German storyteller Wilhelm Busch.
When it comes to the answer to the question of whether Gravenberch will make a fairy tale of his highly likely starting eleven for himself and FC Bayern, patience is required again for the time being.
Chris Rohdenburg