FC Bayern is increasingly focusing on young players – and with full conviction. Sports director Christoph Freund has openly stated that the Munich club wants to deliberately rejuvenate its squad in order to remain competitive in the long term.
With an average age of 26.7 years, the current Bayern squad is one of the oldest in the Bundesliga. Only SC Freiburg (27.3 years) is even more experienced. Key players such as Manuel Neuer, Harry Kane and Joshua Kimmich are already over 30 years old and in advanced footballing age. The German record champions will inevitably face several generational changes in the coming years.
Christoph Freund and Max Eberl have scouted numerous young players in recent months and assessed their development potential. Although Munich already have many highly talented players in Jamal Musiala, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Lennart Karl and Tom Bischof, the long-term strategy is in place: Bayern want to rejuvenate the squad and rebuild with a view to the future.
In the process, more and more young players are coming into focus: Givairo Read, Nathan de Cat, Said El Mala, Fisnik Asllani and Kees Smit are names that have been popping up around the record champions recently. Many of these youngsters are at the very beginning of their careers, but combine enormous potential with a high development curve – a profile that fits perfectly into Munich’s plans for the future.
Freund emphasizes: „Our strategy is clear“
In an interview with Sky, sporting director Christoph Freund openly confirmed for the first time that this is not a coincidence or vague market observation, but a clear plan: „It is a strategy and important for the future that we integrate young talents and achieve a good balance. The mix within the squad makes the difference. You can see that at the moment.“
According to Sky reporter Florian Plettenberg, Bayern are already very active on the transfer market and are looking at various transfer options. „We have very experienced players who are playing at the highest level and we have young players who are developing extremely well and making great, impressive progress. Having a good mix will remain the goal in the future,“ emphasised Freund.
The fact that Bayern are pursuing this approach is evident not only from the talent on show, but also from the philosophy practised under Vincent Kompany. The new coach consistently involves young players such as Karl, Pavlovic and Bischof and gives them important minutes. In doing so, Munich not only want to secure short-term success, but also create sustainable structures that will make the club fit for the future.
