The FC Bayern squad is in transition. It is not yet clear with which staff the German champions will go into the coming season. But with Min-jae Kim’s signing approaching, at least the defense is starting to take shape.
Last season messed things up at FC Bayern. The dismissal of the coach, the dismissal of the board of directors, a fight in the cabin, a hunt for moles – peace never returned to the people of Munich. After a year full of crises, the series champion is preparing a fresh start. There is a new (old) wind not only in the management level, the squad will also be different in the coming season.
The team – equipped with players of international stature and quality – has hardly functioned as a unit in any phase of the season. Neither Julian Nagelsmann nor Thomas Tuchel could design a real team from this composition. And so there are major upheavals in all parts of the team. Min-jae Kim’s signing is now approaching and at least one position is becoming clear.
Defense: Italian flair and big competition
It has long been foreseeable that FC Bayern will probably grab one of the most sought-after players of this transfer period. According to information from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, there is no longer any doubt: According to him, Min-jae Kim will wear the FC Bayern jersey next season. In just one year at SSC Napoli, Kim has become Serie A’s most spectacular defender. The 26-year-old South Korean has all the skills that coach Thomas Tuchel is looking for: big, powerful, fast, ball-safe, strong in tackles, adaptable – and above all reliable.
Because there were defensive mistakes in almost every important game at FC Bayern last season. Bad passes, penalties, mistakes in position – again and again it was avoidable mistakes by the Munich back line that turned narrow leads into defeats for FCB. Dayot Upamecano in particular was repeatedly criticized. With Kim, the Frenchman now has a tough competitor for the regular place in central defence. Former Turin defender Matthijs de Ligt is likely to be in the starting line-up and there is likely to be a duo with Serie A experience at the centre.
One position remains open
This transfer was made possible and necessary by the impending departure of Lucas Hernández, who surprisingly did not want to extend his contract and will probably follow the call of Paris Saint-Germain. The left-back position is also well filled with Raphael Guerreiro on a free transfer. With Guerreiro, Alphonso Davies not only has a good backup, but also a real competitor who should give the recently weakened youngster additional motivation.
On the other hand, there might still be a need. With Noussair Mazraoui and Josip Stanisic they have two solid right-backs in the squad. And a departure from Benjamin Pavard does not seem to be acute, despite the desire to change and the expiring contract. But Pavard has recently convinced as a central defender and in this constellation it would also be possible for Tuchel to switch to a three-man defense. Another right-back should therefore not hurt. The hottest candidate is Kyle Walker (33), who has repeatedly gained experience as a central defender in a back three under Pep Guardiola.
Midfield Central as a big question mark
With the signing of free transfer Konrad Laimer (Rasenballsport Leipzig), central midfield at FC Bayern is already overstaffed. Laimer, Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka and Ryan Gravenberch are all fighting for playing times here at a high level. Of all of them, Kimmich should be the safest in the saddle. Nevertheless, coach Tuchel’s biggest concern is to sign another top-class player for the defensive midfield.
The reason: All four players have a similar profile. Intelligent game, strong passer, urge forward – but with deficiencies in defensive work. Tuchel’s dream player Declan Rice is about to move to Arsenal. Behind it there are currently a number of rumors from Frankie de Jong (FC Barcelona), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain), Mason Mount (FC Chelsea) to Xavi Simmons (PSV Eindhoven). But they all have one thing in common: they are intelligent in the game, good at passing, but have shortcomings when it comes to defensive work. Nevertheless, reinforcements in midfield are likely to come – with uncertain consequences for the current Bayern players. Gravenberch is likely to be loaned out, but even a sale by Leon Goretzka is not out of the question.
Attack – is the prodigy Kane actually coming?
No other position at FC Bayern was discussed as intensively last season as the centre-forward. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting had proven to be a reliable convert within the sixteen, but the Munich team sorely missed the playful class and permanent danger of Robert Lewandowski in almost every game. The wingers lacked space and passing stations as Choupo-Moting didn’t attract the same attention from opposing defenders as his predecessor. Thomas Müller searched in vain for spaces that had become free and Kimmich’s chip balls all too often flew into space.
It has been clear at FC Bayern for months: they need a real centre-forward again. A real exceptional player. It was not considered likely that one of the best players in the world could actually move to Munich. But according to media reports, FCB was actually able to convince Harry Kane of a change.
Now, however, there is another big hurdle: negotiations with Tottenham Hotspur. Because the London club doesn’t want to give up Kane and is considered perhaps the toughest conversation partner in European football. For years, Real Madrid have been grappling with a Gareth Bale commitment. In 2013, it took the then record sum of 100 million euros and several public signs from the player to finally make a transfer possible. A Kane transfer could result in a similar stalemate. A new offer from Munich for 93 million euros should probably prevent that.
Everything the same on the wings?
FC Bayern has had a great team on the wings for years. And it will probably stay that way in the coming season. However, there could be a “new signing”: Sadio Mané could finally arrive at Bayern as the world-class player he was in Liverpool. Despite rumors of a change, the winger recently confirmed his desire to stay in Munich.
With Leroy Sané, Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman you have a lot of good players in the squad. But nothing is out of the question at FC Bayern this season. Even a sudden departure of a well-deserved Bayern professional would not necessarily be surprising. Should Kane and Kim come, there would suddenly be 31 players in the Munich squad. Too many to get stable team chemistry. And that is perhaps the biggest construction site that Thomas Tuchel has to tackle after last season.
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Source: BR24Sport
06/29/2023 – 10:54 am
