Competition for starting spots in central defense at FC Bayern has intensified significantly recently. While Dayot Upamecano is a lock for the starting lineup, Jonathan Tah is increasingly having to fight for his spot. Min-jae Kim has recently edged out the German national team player on several occasions.
On the Sky podcast “Mia san vier,” reporters Kerry Hau, Torben Hoffmann, and Felix Fischer discuss the new hierarchy in Munich’s defense.
As recently as last season, Tah was one of the undisputed key players for the German record champions. Together with Upamecano, the 30-year-old formed the preferred center-back duo for long stretches. However, the situation has since changed.
Kim, in particular, has drawn attention with his recent performances. The South Korean was given the nod in several key matches, while Tah often had to settle for a spot on the bench. For Kerry Hau, this development is quite remarkable.
“He’s not at 100 percent right now.”
“Is he still the Tah who absolutely has to be a starter, both on the national team and at Bayern?” Hau asks in the latest podcast episode, referring to the increasing competition from Kim.
Felix Fischer sees the situation in a slightly more nuanced light. Although Tah has recently gone through a slump, Fischer still thinks highly of the defender. “For me, when it comes to his presence on the field—even though Upamecano has become more active in that regard, so to speak—he’s actually the clear defensive leader at Bayern,” Fischer explained, referring to Tah’s leadership qualities and his communication on the field.
Hoffmann also believes Tah still has room for improvement. The former Bundesliga pro emphasized that the national team player hasn’t always exuded his usual stability lately. “I also think he’s not at 100 percent right now,” Hoffmann explained. Especially in recent weeks, Tah hasn’t always seemed as confident as we’re used to seeing from him.
Bayern have a luxury problem in defense
Nevertheless, Hoffmann warns against writing Tah off too quickly. The 30-year-old has already proven his qualities over a long period of time. In addition, the Sky reporter praised the defender’s professional approach to his changed role.
Tah has recently taken his role as a reserve in stride and has shown no public signs of discontent. For Hoffmann, this speaks to the national team player’s character.
Fischer also views the competitive situation as fundamentally positive. “I think, in principle, Bayern are simply in a truly luxurious situation because they have three center backs who are all potentially at a world-class level,” the host emphasized.
In fact, with Upamecano, Kim, and Tah, Munich has three top-tier options for two positions. While Upamecano currently has the best chance, the competition between Kim and Tah is likely to continue.