FC Bayern will have to make do without Jamal Musiala for the time being. This raises an important tactical question for Vincent Kompany: Who will take on the role of playmaker? The Munich team has no shortage of top-tier alternatives. Harry Kane, Ismael Saibari, and especially Michael Olise offer the Bayern coach a variety of options.
Bayern already experimented with various solutions at the number 10 position last season. Harry Kane was particularly interesting in this regard.
The Englishman repeatedly dropped back from the center of the attack and, at times, acted as a deep-lying striker. Kane was heavily involved in building up play, sometimes joining the attack deep in his own half, and created danger well before reaching the opponent’s penalty area.
It was striking that, thanks to this freedom, Kane was able to exert a major influence on Bayern’s entire game. When Musiala returned to the number 10 position, however, the striker moved more frequently back into his classic operating area as a center forward.
Kane would thus also be an option in the new season to compensate for Musiala’s absence. However, this would mean Kompany would more often pull his most important goal-scorer out of the most dangerous areas in the penalty area.
Saibari offers Kompany a new option
Bayern acquired another alternative this summer for around 50 million euros. Ismael Saibari brings exactly the kind of flexibility that Kompany values in his offense.
Although the Moroccan also impressed as a striker at the World Cup, he frequently played in a central attacking role at PSV Eindhoven.
It’s not yet clear exactly how Kompany plans to utilize the 25-year-old. Saibari can play virtually any attacking position, making him a natural choice to replace Musiala in the number 10 role.
His physical presence and ability to break free from pressure, in particular, would give Bayern’s play a different dynamic in that role.
Olise could be the best solution
Perhaps the most exciting option right now, however, is Michael Olise. The Frenchman demonstrated at the 2026 World Cup just how valuable he can be as a central playmaker.
Olise was one of the most standout players in that position during the tournament. With his dribbling, his vision for the final pass, and his finishing ability, he meets nearly all the requirements for the number 10 role. Furthermore, the Frenchman himself has already emphasized that he feels particularly comfortable in this role.
So far, Olise has primarily been used on the right side for Bayern. That could change in the future. As soon as Lennart Karl is available again after his injury, Kompany would have the option of deploying Karl on the right and permanently shifting Olise further into the center.
This puts the Bayern coach in a comfortable position despite Musiala’s absence. Kane, Saibari, and Olise can each approach the number 10 position in different ways.
Therefore, the key will be less about finding a replacement for Musiala at all. Rather, Kompany must select the right player profile depending on the opponent.
Especially with the decisive phase of the Champions League on the horizon, this question could take on even greater significance. Bayern have made winning the Champions League their clear goal. To achieve that, they’ll need to find the right solution for one of the most important positions in the offense by spring.