Leon Goretzka has already overcome numerous setbacks in his career. He has been written off several times and returned several times, but his future at FC Bayern has rarely been as uncertain as it is now
The 30-year-old is fighting for a new contract beyond next summer – but the sporting and financial conditions have shifted against him
The example of the 5-0 win in Stuttgart showed mercilessly how narrow the line has become. Vincent Kompany made three changes after an hour – Goretzka also had to come off the pitch. Only then did Munich turn on the turbo. It is no coincidence that the game looked much more stable and clearer with Pavlovic in midfield. Munich’s homegrown player made an exclamation mark with 48 ball contacts in 30 minutes, while Goretzka had previously only made 27
The trend is clear: Kompany does not trust the international in top games such as against Chelsea, Dortmund, PSG and Arsenal. Goretzka was also only on the bench in yesterday’s 3-1 win against Sporting Lisbon and was only substituted when everything was decided. In the Champions League, he has just 60 minutes of action after five games – without a single starting appearance, not even against supposed outsiders such as Pafos FC or Brugge
Goretzka is becoming less important in sporting terms – and at a crucial time in his contract. His contract, which runs until the summer of 2026, is coming to an end and he needs arguments. But others are currently providing them
Kompany remains loyal – but the facts speak a different language
Kompany remains respectful and loyal in public. „I trust the boys – no matter who plays in midfield,“ the coach emphasized before the Lisbon game, pointing to form and the opponent as deciding factors. But his line-ups clearly show that Goretzka is no longer the first choice, that Kompany’s playing idea does not involve a classic box-to-box player – a profile that actually distinguishes Goretzka
The pressure is also increasing in sporting terms. Tom Bischof, who is set to play at left-back, sees himself in Goretzka’s position in the long term. And the youngster only earns a fraction of the around €17 million annual salary that Goretzka receives in Munich
Sporting director Max Eberl has publicly made it clear that FC Bayern will pay closer attention to salary structures when extending contracts in future. „There are certain points where we have to talk about savings,“ said Eberl. A sentence that applies to Goretzka in particular. Staying would require a drastic pay cut – similar to Leroy Sané, who ultimately spoke out against staying
Christoph Freund was recently evasive when asked about Goretzka’s future. Instead of speaking plainly, he praised Goretzka’s mentality and strength of character without sending a signal for an extension. There is plenty of room for interpretation between the lines – but little optimism
Goretzka has fought his way back several times in his career. Under Nagelsmann, he was behind Sabitzer at times, under Tuchel he also struggled for minutes, and the situation is now critical under Kompany as well. His mental strength is undisputed, but the circumstances have rarely been as complicated as they are now.