FC Bayern officials are tasked with offloading players like Joao Palhinha and Sacha Boey this summer. However, the record champion’s “hard-to-sell” players are difficult to place. The combination of transfer fees and, in some cases, high salaries creates a tricky situation.
The club needs to generate revenue, but the market for these players is limited. In Palhinha’s case, at least, it appears that several teams are seriously interested—but apparently only in a loan deal. Bayern would prefer to sell these players on a permanent basis.
This creates a dilemma, and not just for FC Bayern itself. Sports psychologist Matthias Herzog recently told the tz that the current situation naturally also affects the players themselves.
Bayern’s unsold players create a dilemma
“This can weigh on a player more than it appears from the outside. After all, for a professional athlete, it’s not just about fulfilling his employment contract,” says Herzog. “A large part of his identity comes from competition, performance, recognition, and the feeling of being needed by the team. That’s not in sight right now.”
Although the players have been pulling their weight during preseason so far and have performed at a high level, the crucial question is whether this will last. Because this is precisely where problems loom if no solutions are found this summer.
“That doesn’t mean Palhinha, Boey, or Zaragoza will suddenly stop giving their all. But what matters is whether the player still believes he can improve his situation through performance,” explains Herzog. “If the door is just ajar, that can be motivating. If it’s been slammed shut for good, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain the same intensity over the course of weeks.”
And that’s exactly what’s happening. Bayern has slammed the door on these players, making it unmistakably clear to them that they no longer play a role in the team’s plans. So if a player’s planned departure this summer doesn’t materialize, it can have a lasting impact.
