Tom Bischof is one of the big winners of Bayern Munich’s preseason so far. Following Leon Goretzka’s departure, the 21-year-old is expected to take on significantly more responsibility on the field. But even off the field, it’s clear: The Munich club is increasingly putting the midfielder in the spotlight during their Asian tour.
For Bischof, the summer could hardly be going better. While numerous Bayern stars joined preseason training late after the World Cup or are sidelined due to injury, the midfielder has been able to participate fully from the very first day of training.
The youngster is making the most of this opportunity. In the friendly matches so far, he has logged plenty of minutes and impressed Vincent Kompany enough to earn a more prominent role in central midfield. Following Goretzka’s departure, Bischof is expected to see increased playing time in the “six” or “eight” positions going forward.
But his importance seems to be growing not only on the field. During the Asian tour, it was noticeable that FC Bayern is also prominently featuring the 21-year-old in its public relations efforts.
Bischof is becoming a “PR dream”
For example, Bischof’s new jersey with the number 8 on the back was part of the promotion for a special flock design ahead of the friendly match in Hong Kong. For SPORT1 chief reporter Stefan Kumberger, this is no coincidence. “First and foremost, of course, you have to play good soccer. But when you look at Tom Bischof and his role, he could really develop into a PR dream for FC Bayern,” Kumberger explains in the podcast *Die Bayern-Woche*.
From the perspective of this Bayern insider, Bischof brings a lot of what’s important for a prominent role at Germany’s record-holding champions. “He plays well, is telegenic, is dating the daughter of Bayern legend Mehmet Scholl, and so on—a stroke of luck in terms of public image,” says Kumberger.
The fact that Bischof secured the prestigious No. 8 jersey following Goretzka’s departure fits into the bigger picture. The former Hoffenheim player is no longer expected to serve merely as a versatile stopgap but to develop into an integral part of the team.
Bischof and Pavlovic as the faces of Bayern’s new generation
At just 21 years old, Bischof also fits perfectly into Munich’s long-term strategy. The record champions aim to bolster their comparatively small professional roster with young players and offer them genuine opportunities for development.
Alongside Bischof, Aleksandar Pavlovic in particular embodies this approach. “The two of them, of course, already represent the new FC Bayern,” Kumberger emphasized.
The fact that the two midfielders also get along well on a personal level is likely to be another plus for the club’s management. At the same time, competition in the midfield remains fierce. With Joshua Kimmich and Pavlovic in the mix, Bischof is fighting for playing time, while other young talents are pushing from behind.
Nevertheless, his starting position has rarely been better. Bischof has a fitness advantage heading into the preseason, is getting plenty of playing time, and is increasingly being positioned by the club as one of the faces of Bayern’s next generation. Now, the 21-year-old must prove—above all on the field—that his promising overall package can translate into a lasting, key role with the record champions.