While future Chairman Oliver Kahn has emphasised
youth development from within Bayern’s ranks,
the Bavarian conveyor belt has yet to spit
out much in the way of talent recently. Bayern
have therefore done the next best thing, buying
young, talented players from other Bundesliga
sides or the periphery of other big European
clubs. Leroy Sane, PSG’s Tanguy Nianzou,
and Gladbach’s Mickael Cuisance have all
been added to a squad already brimming with
ability and fresh from winning the Champions
League.
Bayern are a brilliantly run club, one of
the best in Europe, despite the occasionally
tempestuous relationships at boardroom level.
They have a clear strategy for transfers:
young, preferably relatively inexpensive,
and with a very high ceiling.
Under the supervision of sporting director
Hasan Salihamidzic, Bayern have continued
this financially prudent rebuild and while
all three of the aforementioned transfers
are undoubtably sensible, Bayern do have other
areas that would benefit from investment.
They’ll approach this much the same way,
too, aware that even though they are financially
stable, they can’t compete with the other
European super clubs for stars in their prime
Tactically, Hansi Flick is settled, and Bayern’s
style of pressing, ball circulation, and attacking
with pace down the flanks informs these decisions.
A new right back is definitely a priority.
Thiago may leave, and so cover in central
midfield would be welcome, ideally someone
who can progress the ball well and maintain
Bayern’s energetic pressing. And, according
to The Athletic’s Rapha Honigstein, Bayern
are also in the hunt for a winger.
These are the three areas where Bayern should
be looking.
Bayern’s right back situation is odd – in
Kimmich, they already have one of the world’s
best and in Pavard, a World Cup winner in
that position. But both players’ futures
are likely elsewhere on the pitch.
One option for the short-term is William,
the 25 year old Wolfsburg player. He’s a
reliable attacking full back, vying with Kevin
Mbambu for the starting berth. He has plenty
of Bundesliga experience and is a bright and
busy presence on the flank.
Tifo’s suggestion, though, is AC Milan’s
Davide Calabria. The club have indicated a
willingness to sell the 23 year-old, but he
has the potential to excel. He’s always
looking to push up on the overlap or cut inside
to get to the edge of the box. He needs to
work on his end product, and one goal and
one assist isn’t a great return for over
1600 minutes last season. But his passing
numbers are very good, with 9.2 progressive
passes and 5.5 final third passes per 90.
Defensively, he’s also proactive, with 1.2
interceptions and 4.3 successful pressures
per 90. He’s not the finished article, but
his ability to generate pace and width in
attacks is exactly what Bayern are looking
for.
With question marks over Thiago’s future,
Bayern could be in the market for a creative,
deeper-lying midfielder. Michael Cuisance
could be a contender, but may be seen as a
more dynamic presence further up the pitch.
Tifo’s option for Bayern is actually to
look within their own ranks at Angelo Stiller.
The defensive midfielder, who is 19 and currently
with Bayern’s second team, looks like a
composed and intelligent defensive midfielder
with a good range of long passing. One goal
and six assists in last season’s UEFA Youth
League is a good return for the left-footer,
who likes to sit deep and dictate play, but
has the engine to get forwards too. He may
not be one for this season, but his potential
could mitigate Bayern’s need to spend.
An alternative, though, is Fausto Vera of
Argentinos Junior. A tall, dynamic 20-year-old
defensive midfielder, he only really started
playing first team football last season, but
already looks an assured presence in front
of the backline, with a nice range of passing
and a strong physical presence. He’s also
adept at sweeping long crossfield passes,
which would suit Bayern’s quick wide players.
He looks like a very strong prospect and would
adapt well to the base of Bayern’s midfield.
Of course, Bayern have Leroy Sane joining
and there is an option to take Ivan Perisic,
the astute, hard-working left winger, from
Inter before the loan-to-buy expires. But
the club appear to want to strengthen further
in this area, probably on the right where
Serge Gnabry has little competition.
One left-field option is Brentford’s 21
year-old Bryan Mbeumo. His 15 goals and eight
assists in the Championship, and one further
goal in the play-offs, came at a much lower
level, but he’s a very smart wide attacker
with excellent anticipation and technique,
who gets the ball into dangerous areas and
presses well. He would be a gamble, but he
looks capable of playing at a higher level
and is still developing.
Tifo’s suggestion, though, is Tete, the
20 year old Shakhtar Donetsk winger. He scored
eight and got four assists in the league last
season. He possesses good acceleration and
decision-making on the run, likes to cut inside,
and has a good shot with his left foot. He
doesn’t always try to take the ball on,
either, but is happy to play safer passes
to get himself into a good position.
Shakhtar have a good track record of finding
talented Brazilians who flourish at top tier
clubs; Tete could well be the next.
