Following FC Bayern’s disappointing 0-0 draw at FC Schalke 04, Dietmar Hamann has leveled sharp criticism at the German record champions’ roster planning. The former national team player has particular doubts about Ismael Saibari, questioning whether the summer signing will truly strengthen the Munich squad.
“Bayern isn’t any better than last year,” Hamann explained on Sky90. The TV analyst pointed to the changes in the roster. While the club signed two high-profile players in Nathaniel Brown and Saibari, Munich also lost several experienced professionals.
“The two players who joined are Nathaniel Brown and Ismael Saibari. Internally, there’s uncertainty about whether Alphonso Davies will return. There’s also a question mark over Jamal Musiala at the moment for other reasons. Then you’ve lost Raphael Guerreiro, Leon Goretzka, and Nicolas Jackson—that’s over 100 games and, I believe, over 25 goals.”
Hamann is particularly critical of Jackson’s departure. Although he admits he wasn’t “the biggest fan” of the former Bayern loan player, he says the team is missing an important quality. “But Jackson’s pace is sorely missed,” Hamann said. This is precisely where his criticism of Saibari comes in.
“He’s like a bad Kane.”
“Up front, you have Harry Kane, who isn’t the fastest. Now, with Saibari, you have a backup who isn’t the fastest either. He’s a wonderful soccer player, but too slow. He’s like a bad Kane.”
A harsh assessment of the Moroccan, for whom Bayern paid PSV Eindhoven around 50 million euros this summer.
Saibari was signed precisely because of his versatility. The 25-year-old can play in several offensive positions and is expected to provide Vincent Kompany with additional options as a result. Hamann, however, doubts that this flexibility actually exists at the highest level.
“With Saibari, they say he can play four positions,” explained the former Bayern pro.
In his view, there is really only one position where the new signing can truly shine at the record-breaking champions.
Hamann sees Gnabry as clearly ahead of Saibari
„I think the only position Saibari can play is behind Kane, because he’s too slow on the wing. However, Serge Gnabry is a cut above him in that role—and they still miss him a lot.“
In doing so, Hamann not only questions Saibari’s role but also sees fundamental problems with the composition of Bayern’s offense. In particular, the squad lacks speed following Jackson’s departure.
These problems were evident, at least at times, during the 0-0 draw at Schalke. Although Munich dominated possession, they rarely generated any real threat against Schalke’s compact defense. Even Harry Kane and Michael Olise, who came on as substitutes after the break, were unable to beat Schalke goalkeeper Loris Karius.
Whether Hamann’s harsh assessment of Saibari holds true remains to be seen in the coming weeks. After all, the Moroccan is still very much at the beginning of his time with FC Bayern.
The next opportunity comes as early as Thursday. To kick off the Champions League, Munich will face Bodø/Glimt. Then Vincent Kompany’s team will have to provide an offensive response to the first setback of the still-young season.