With Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Konrad Laimer, Ryan Gravenberch and Marcel Sabitzer, there is actually an oversupply in central midfield at FC Bayern. Nevertheless, there are always calls for a new six. But nobody will come. Is the German record champion taking a high risk?
There is no rest at FC Bayern, transfer rumors are circulating every day. Most recently, the Munich team even heated up the explosive question of whether the club still needed a new six by demonstrating disagreement. Thomas Tuchel called for one, while Uli Hoeneß saw no need for action.
Tuchel made no secret of his desire for a new midfielder. The coach recently confirmed that he would have liked to sign England international Declan Rice. “He has a profile that I don’t think we have in the squad,” said Tuchel, who described this type of player as a potentially “interesting addition” to Munich’s squad.
However, this wish will not come true. Rice joined Arsenal for €116m. And Tuchel will probably not get an alternative reinforcement for the headquarters either.
At least Honorary President Hoeneß sees no catching up to do in midfield.
When asked if the club would sign a new sweeper, he replied: “I don’t see this discussion as Konrad Laimer is a transfer we’ll be very happy about.”
The transfer of Laimer was already bagged before Tuchel was in office. The Austrian was considered the dream player of ex-coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Nevertheless, Tuchel is impressed by the newcomer, he did not want to publicly break a six-man Zoff about the transfer developments. His first impressions of the national player were “very good”: “I’m happy that he’s here. He’s very interesting.” The fact that he didn’t get the player he wanted was “okay too,” added the coach.
FC Bayern midfielder disappoint
If Hoeneß’s word of power comes true and no further sixes are scored, FC Bayern is taking a sporting risk on the one hand. The Munich team seems to be well occupied in central midfield. But all the players were light years away from their top form last season.
The double six with Goretzka and Kimmich was a shadow of itself, Gravenberch has not yet met FC Bayern’s requirements and has not progressed beyond the status of a supplementary player. Sabitzer was last loaned out to Manchester United, and the Austrian probably doesn’t have a future in Munich.
Goretzka, Gravenberch and Kimmich before Bayern?
The deficits in midfield recently addressed Tuchel bluntly. He found clear words for Goretzka and Gravenberch in particular: “I would not confirm for any player that he would still be here on September 1st.” It’s still “too early to make a final decision,” said the 49-year-old.
Goretzka himself should currently rule out a departure from Munich, but according to information from “Bild” this position could “change quickly” if the German national player loses his regular place.
Gravenberch, on the other hand, probably wants to leave Munich. The Dutchman was anything but satisfied with his first season with the German industry leader.
And Kimmich is no longer untouchable at Bayern. Tuchel recently did not rule out the departure of the national player. “My goodness, a transfer period is a transfer period,” he said on the sidelines of the training camp at Tegernsee, “that’s why I said in general: Anything is always possible. I’m not going to deny it, that doesn’t make any sense.”
Will Bayern take Tchouameni?
After the failed transfer of Rice, French national player Aurelien Tchouameni from Real Madrid is considered to be a possible six-man reinforcement. The 23-year-old is said to be at the top of Tuchel’s wish list, but is tied to the Royal until 2028 and should not be available cheaply.
But when it comes to Hoeneß, Tuchel’s desire for a new six remains unfulfilled anyway. First of all, it should be important, as the new CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen recently made clear, that the management team at FC Bayern once again presents itself as a cohesive unit to the outside world.
“We would do well not to comment further on the topics where we are traveling beyond what is currently known,” said the 55-year-old, referring to Hoeneß and Tuchel. Words that may have quickly borne fruit. The club patron recently downplayed the recent negative headlines and was enthusiastic about the new spirit at FC Bayern. True to the motto: time for peace to return.
Lissy Beckonert