FC Bayern is heading into the new season with high ambitions. Domestically, the German record champions are once again the clear favorites; internationally, they aim to take the next step after being eliminated in the semifinals last season. But is the current roster strong enough to make a run at the Champions League? In the second part of the FCBinside roster review, the focus is on the defense.
After examining the competition between Manuel Neuer and Jonas Urbig in the first part of the roster review, we’re shifting our focus a bit further forward.
At first glance, not much has changed in terms of personnel in FC Bayern’s defense. However, with the addition of Nathaniel Brown, a player has joined the squad who could very well shake up the hierarchy at the fullback positions.
The Munich club paid around 50 million euros to Eintracht Frankfurt. That’s a hefty sum, which makes one thing clear: Brown wasn’t signed as just a backup player.
Brown is more than just a backup for Davies
In the squad, the 23-year-old essentially takes over Raphaël Guerreiro’s role, though with one key difference. While Guerreiro could be deployed as a left back, his greatest strengths lay in midfield and in more central positions.
Brown, on the other hand, is a natural left-back and thus a direct competitor for Alphonso Davies.
He made his definitive breakthrough last season at Eintracht Frankfurt. His performances ultimately earned him a spot on Germany’s World Cup roster. Above all, his dynamism and offensive qualities are a perfect fit for Vincent Kompany’s style of play.
Sporting Director Max Eberl has already expressed his admiration for the new signing’s mentality: “He’s a special player because he can handle the pressure. That’s something you need at Bayern, and we really liked that about him.”
Given Davies’ injury problems in recent years, an additional high-quality option on the left side was necessary. If the Canadian stays healthy and builds on his best performances, he’ll remain the favorite for a starting spot for now. Eberl recently made it unmistakably clear: “I can rule out a transfer for Alphonso Davies.”
Unlike in previous years, however, Bayern no longer has to improvise if their left back is sidelined.
Stanisic is competing with Laimer for his spot
This affects Josip Stanisic in particular. The Croatian had to fill in on the left side time and again last season. With Brown, there’s now an additional specialist option available there, allowing Stanisic to focus more on the right side of defense again.
However, Konrad Laimer is waiting there.
The Austrian has established himself on the right side under Kompany and has impressed with his aggressive runs and tremendous stamina. Stanisic, on the other hand, brings more defensive stability and tactical flexibility. Kompany can thus choose between two different profiles depending on the opponent.
For Sacha Boey, on the other hand, things are looking tight. Despite decent performances during preseason, the Frenchman continues to play no role in the club’s long-term plans and is expected to leave the club if a suitable offer comes along.
In central defense, meanwhile, there are hardly any changes. Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah remain the preferred duo. Behind them, Minjae Kim and Hiroki Ito are available as alternatives.
Kim, in particular, has recently been linked with a transfer again. Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest are said to have shown interest, though the South Korean himself would like to stay in Munich.
Even if Kim or Ito were to be sold at the last minute, Bayern would not necessarily have to be active in the transfer market again. Stanisic can easily move into central defense if needed, giving Kompany additional flexibility.
Bayern has solved its biggest defensive problem
The signing of Brown strengthens Bayern’s defense overall. What matters most here is not so much that the national team player has to immediately displace Davies. Rather, for the first time in quite a while, Munich now has two top-level, natural left-backs on the roster. Especially given the heavy workload and Davies’ injury history, this could prove to be enormously important as the season progresses.
On the right side, too, there is genuine competition between Laimer and Stanisic. In the center, Bayern has four established center backs in Tah, Upamecano, Kim, and Ito.
This means the defense is well-equipped, both in terms of quality and depth, to compete at the highest level.
The most intriguing question, therefore, concerns not so much the quality as the pecking order. Brown was signed for a lot of money and is unlikely to settle for a traditional backup role in the long run. Davies, on the other hand, is among the best left-backs in Europe when fit.
It is precisely this competition that could prove to be a “luxury problem” for Kompany. In the battle for that final step in the Champions League, however, this is a problem the Bayern coach would likely be happy to have.