Lennart Karl has long been more than just the face of a successful turnaround at FC Bayern. The 17-year-old has not only played his way into the focus of the Bundesliga in the first half of the season, but has also won over prominent advocates. One of them is Dietmar Hamann. The former international and current TV pundit has now ennobled the attacking gem in his column for Sky with a remarkably clear assessment – and even put Karl above established world stars
For Hamann, there is no doubt who the outstanding player of the first half of the season at FC Bayern was. „For me, the player of the first half of the season is Lennart Karl,“ the 51-year-old wrote unequivocally. Hamann was particularly impressed by how naturally Karl made the leap into the team. „Normally, young players first gain experience and get a taste of it, but he came into the team new and immediately decided and dominated games – and not just in the Bundesliga,“ Hamann continued
This dominance was by no means just a short-term phenomenon. Karl stood out particularly in the decisive phase before the winter break. „In the last six or seven games before the winter break, Karl was the dominant player, even ahead of Kane and Michael Olise,“ Hamann noted. A sentence that makes you sit up and take notice, considering the quality and importance of these two attacking stars
The difference player in the Bayern system
Hamann goes one step further in his analysis and explains why Karl is so valuable to him. Although all the Bayern stars played at a high level, one of them always made the decisive difference. „All the Bayern stars were good, but Karl was the one who often made the difference,“ wrote the former professional
In Hamann’s view, it is precisely this ability that sets Karl apart from many other players. The youngster does not need long run-up times or ideal match situations. He can create something out of nothing, turn games around and present opponents with unsolvable problems. Qualities that are particularly in demand at FC Bayern under Vincent Kompany – and that Karl brings to the pitch week in, week out
World Cup debate superfluous for Hamann
Hamann’s stance on the national team is correspondingly clear. The question of whether Lennart Karl should go to the World Cup does not even arise for him. „Karl is a player who can create chances out of nothing. We couldn’t afford not to take a player like that with us,“ emphasized Hamann
This statement is a clear message – both to national coach Julian Nagelsmann and to potential sceptics who might still be hesitant about a 17-year-old. For Hamann, it is not age or experience that counts, but quality and impact. And in these categories, Karl has long since proven that he can hold his own at the highest level
At FC Bayern, this development fits into the overall picture. Under Vincent Kompany, young players not only have a chance, but a real perspective. Karl uses this consistently. He plays courageously, self-confidently and with a maturity that goes far beyond his age.