2023-08-23 21:37:47
Harry Kane’s signing is the most expensive course correction in Bayern’s history. The German record champions not only paid over 100 million euros to get a superstar. But also to fix a mistake from the past.
A mistake that might now possibly be repeated. This time not in the striker, but in the midfield center.
As is well known, FCB only brought in Kane, the successor to Robert Lewandowski, a year later. Previously, people on Säbener Strasse had long persuaded themselves that they might be successful without a classic striker.
The reality looked different for large parts of the season.
Bavaria probably does without the “Holding Six”
The question of the six is being dealt with in a similar way in Munich in the current transfer summer. After the good news regarding Manuel Neuer and the almost permanent commitment of goalkeeper Daniel Peretz, it is the biggest remaining construction site in the Bayern squad.
As reported by Sport Bild, the Munich team will refrain from signing another midfielder. A development that was already indicated. Coach Thomas Tuchel, the biggest advocate of another million-euro investment, had recently been much more cautious regarding the cause.
But would a waiver, unlike Lewandowski’s at the time, be the right decision? The debate regarding the center of Munich has been smoldering for months, and not just in the media. According to information from SPORT1, there were mind games regarding Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid) and Édson Alvarez (now at West Ham United)
Tuchel had repeatedly wished for a “Holding Six”, a defensive six. At the same time, he denied the existing staff the ability to fill out the player profile he was hoping for.
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Hoeneß sees things differently this time
At least here there is a clear difference to the striker problem from a year ago. The coach at the time, Julian Nagelsmann, who was not always on the same wavelength as Lewandowski, had mostly described the vacant position as an opportunity. “We have the opportunity to build FC Bayern without a striker who can reliably score 40 goals,” he said at the time. Tuchel also wants to “find solutions”, but would rather have another star.
Another difference, and that is an elementary one at FC Bayern: Uli Hoeneß. He had identified the lack of a classic nine as a clear problem last year (“One thing is for sure, I think we’re missing a nine”). On the other hand, the six-party debate, which was publicly promoted primarily by Tuchel, leaves him cold, as he believes that a suitable man has already been found in Konrad Laimer.
“I don’t even bother with the discussion regarding the six because I believe that Laimer is a transfer that we will have a lot of fun with,” said the Bayern maker right from the start of the preparation. In fact, Laimer played a good preparation, but in the Bundesliga opener he had to make way for Leon Goretzka from the starting XI.
Effenberg relies on a proven duo
And Goretzka delivered a good game and recommended himself for further appearances alongside seeded Joshua Kimmich. “If I have a Kimmich, a Laimer and Goretzka, then someone will be able to play the Holding Six,” said SPORT1 expert Stefan Effenberg recently in the STAHLWERK double pass.
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He doesn’t see “the problem”. With Goretzka regaining his strength and Joshua Kimmich stable, Bayern is in a good position: “Sure, they have to stretch. They haven’t performed as well in the last six months, but they can do it.”
And that is exactly what should be the decisive difference following the wrong decision in the nine-question. In the previous year, the squad with Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting only gave a real alternative. The Cameroonian played well at first, but was ultimately unable to close the Lewandowski gap due to various injury setbacks.
Bayern – who have already spent around 150 million euros in the current transfer period – currently have players in the squad who have already proven their class at the highest level.
Whether Bayern is right in not having an additional midfielder remains to be seen in the coming months. If not, another expensive course correction threatens next summer.
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