Maycon Cardozo is back training with the team. This gives Bayern an additional option on the left wing, where they’re short on players.
For Maycon Cardozo, the most important news is, first and foremost, a personal one: After a two-and-a-half-month break, the 18-year-old can once again train with the team and engage in physical play. For FC Bayern, however, his return also holds an interesting competitive prospect. So far, there has been no reliable alternative to Luis Díaz on the left wing.
Cardozo could put himself back in the running exactly there. The Brazilian had impressed Vincent Kompany during preseason before a serious shoulder injury set him back. His return is therefore more than just expanding the training squad: a player whom Bayern has already introduced to the professional ranks can once again fight for his chance.
However, joining team training does not yet mean that Cardozo is immediately ready for Bundesliga action. After a long break, he first needs to build up his stamina and get back into the rhythm of the game. Transfer planning cannot be determined solely by a positive sign from training.
Cardozo could fill a gap—if Bayern gives him time
Nevertheless, it’s worth taking a look at his potential role. The past few weeks have shown that, aside from Díaz, Bayern has limited options for another winger. Alphonso Davies and Nathaniel Brown stepped in further up the field. Their flexibility was valuable, but it also tied them down to positions that aren’t their usual roles.
Now, with Davies, one of these alternatives—of all people—is also in danger of being ruled out. The Canadian had to be substituted due to injury just five minutes into the international match against Guatemala. He is returning to Munich for further examinations, and FC Bayern is concerned about another muscle injury. A precise diagnosis is still pending. Should Davies be sidelined, the coaching staff would lose a solution for the left offensive wing that has been used frequently in recent matches.
A Cardozo who is once again fit to play would therefore become even more important. He could initially be considered for specific phases of the game, take some of the pressure off Díaz —who is also just returning —and continue to develop through measured playing time.
The summer demonstrated that Bayern fundamentally believes in him. Cardozo was allowed to join the first team on their Asian tour and, with his bold performances, was one of the standout players during preseason. The shoulder injury interrupted this progress, but it does not render the impressions he made previously worthless.
For the club’s management, this provides an additional opportunity for evaluation. Before committing to an external solution, they can assess how quickly Cardozo can return to his previous form and what roles he can actually fill. This internal alternative is particularly relevant when considering a signing for the role behind Díaz.
However, it must not become an excuse to downplay a recognized need. A young player returning from a long injury layoff is not a ready-made solution for all absences. Serge Gnabry and Ismael Saibari remain sidelined, and Davies is facing another potential layoff. Cardozo needs a fair opportunity to develop rather than being expected to immediately solve a roster problem.