As the 2021/22 season draws to a close, we can complete a short analysis of how the FC Bayern squad will be shaping up in their quest to retain the Bundesliga title. Here, we’ll look at the departures, the newcomers, and the contract situations of players we’re still in the dark about
Definitely Staying (11)
Manuel Neuer (GK/CM?)
Club captain and veteran Manuel Neuer needs no introduction and will be around for the coming season. His contract expires in June 2023 but is very close to being extended for one further year
Thomas Müller (SS/ST/CAM/RW)
Vice-captain and academy graduate Thomas Müller is in an identical situation, but looking to retain a two-year contract instead. At the moment, this seems unlikely, but we’ll see
Joshua Kimmich (CDM/CM/CB/RB)
Arguably the best defensive midfielder in the world, Joshua Kimmich and the FC Bayern captaincy look to be a formula in the making. With a contract extension until June 2025, he could well be on his way
Leon Goretzka (CM)
One of the true 8’s of the modern game, Leon Goretzka has put himself forward into a leadership position and will continue to fulfil his role next season
Kingsley Coman (LW/RW)
The newest inductee into the leadership group and a contract until June 2027, Kingsley Coman won’t be going anywhere in the near future
Lucas Hernández (CB/LB)
Spending €80m on a central defender seems like a bargain for some of the performances Lucas Hernández has put in on shift. His display away to PSG last season might have repaid the entire transfer fee in one evening
Leroy Sané (LW/RW/CAM)
Increasingly used in a central role this season, Leroy Sané is quickly picking up speed since a slow start in Bavaria. His future is already set out for him
Alphonso Davies (LB/LW)
Roaming up and down the left flank, Phonzie has truly set the world alight. Yet to perform true to his colours under Julian Nagelsmann, we can still comfortably remind ourselves he won’t be going anywhere
Jamal Musiala (CAM/LW/RW/CM)
You could say he’s a product of the FC Bayern academy. The fan-favourite Bambi and his versatility will be around for the next few seasons
Benjamin Pavard (RB/CB)
Central defender converted into right-fullback, Benji Pavard could see himself moving back into the centre this coming season. More on this below
Dayot Upamecano (CB)
Although seemingly error-prone, Upa has significantly picked up his performances since the turn of the year and will be staying around for a few more years
They’ll Be Around (4)
Sven Ulreich (GK)
A (mostly) consistent and reliable backup, there is no reason why Sven Ulreich would have to leave if Alexander Nübel doesn’t want to return from loan just yet. Although his contract is expiring next month, negotiations are well underway to extend for a further year
Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting (ST)
Quietly effective and deadly up front, Choupo has one of the best minutes-to-goals ratios in European football this season. Although his contract runs out in June 2023, he’ll be here to keep the dressing room happy until then
Tanguy Nianzou Kouassi (CB/CDM/CM)
Nianzou has generated positive reviews after most of his performances, and Julian Nagelsmann has ruled out a loan for him next season. Sometimes, coaches don’t get their way, but he’ll be on the books next season, whether at the club or on a loan elsewhere
Bouna Sarr (RB/RW)
Let’s admit it – although an overwhelming majority of fans want him out, it doesn’t look like clubs are interested in him. It’s an ever-increasing possibility he will stay unless some interest comes up over the summer break
Returning From Loan (5)
Ron-Thorben Hoffmann (GK)
On loan to AFC Sunderland, the young goalkeeper will remain with them if he racks up 25 appearances with the club. Although he was the number 1 and is currently on 23 appearances, the sacking of former coach Lee Johnson relegated him to the bench and he is unlikely to play the two matches required for him to stay in England. Another loan, if not a permanent transfer, will be the option once he returns
Joshua Zirkzee (ST)
Banging in goals at Anderlecht for fun, Zirkzee could genuinely compete for a place in the team with the right attitude. A loan to another Bundesliga side is also a viable option to increase game time, unless a certain Robert Lewandowski heads out the exit door….
Chris Richards (CB/RB)
The American is following in the footsteps of fellow academy graduate David Alaba, who made the trip to Sinsheim 11 years ago. Although currently injured for 2-3 months, he could be competing for a spot against Tanguy Nianzou if he continues this trajectory
Lars Lukas Mai (CB)
With a contract until June 2023, it’s a questionable situation for Lars Lukas Mai. Definitely not starting quality, but would he be satisfied with competing against others for a place on the bench? This remains to be seen
Adrian Fein (CDM/CM)
Initially, on loan to Greuther Fürth, he managed less than 30 minutes of game time in the Bundesliga Hinrunde without a single start and no injuries, before FC Bayern stepped in and readjusted his loan to Dynamo Dresden. It didn’t go too well there either, without a single appearance to his name in the second division. It would be wise for Die Roten to sell him for some value this year before his contract expires the next
On the Books, At the Very Least (5)
Josip Stanisic (RB/CB/LB)
Able to play anywhere across the backline, it looks like the Croatian is another FC Bayern academy graduate who happens to come up through the ranks at the wrong time. Similar to Angelo Stiller and Niklas Dorsch, there’s a queue of players above him in the pecking order. A loan could happen, but a permanent transfer is unlikely
Malik Tillman (LW/CAM)
Another player to bump into traffic in front of him, a loan seems the most sensible option for Malik Tillman. Moving to a 2 Bundesliga side would see minutes easier to come by, without a significant drop in the level of competition
Paul Wanner (RW/CAM)
The fleet-footed lefty is just 16 years of age and has a Robben-esque flair to his play. It may be too soon for a loan, but it’s becoming evident he will be playing first-team football sooner rather than later
Gabriel Vidovic (SS/ST/CAM)
Recently making his first=team debut, it’s likely a loan to the second division is coming up. Could he make the number 17 his very soon, continuing the legacy of Jérôme Boateng and former captain Mark van Bommel? We hope so
Omar Richards (LB)
Thought to give Alphonso Davies a bit of competition starting on the left, he has rarely stepped in even with the Canadian out injured. With Lucas Hernández or Kingsley Coman preferred, a loan move could potentially be on the cards, although he has reiterated his desire to stay and fight for his place in the team
It’s a Lost Cause (2)
Niklas Süle (CB/CDM)
Only a few appearances left to make in a Bayern jersey, Niklas Süle will be joining title-rivals Borussia Dortmund next month. We wish him the best against all 16 Bundesliga sides apart from der FCB
Corentin Tolisso (CM/CDM/RB)
Once a midfield stalwart under Jupp Heynckes and scorer of screamers against Freiburg and Atletico Madrid, Corentin Tolisso will almost certainly be leaving FC Bayern on a free transfer after a depressing injury record. Sevilla are interested in adding him to their squad, but the Andalusians have big competition from Real Madrid and former club OL
Difficult, But Not Impossible (2)
Christian Früchtl (GK)
With Manuel Neuer, Sven Ulreich, and Alex Nübel in front of him in the goalkeeping roster, loan moves aren’t going to cut it. Manuel Neuer is going to retire, but for sure Früchtl won’t be the first choice then. Might as well leave while he has the chance to
Marc Roca (CDM/CM)
It’s hard to break into the starting XI if you have two world-class midfielders ahead of you. That’s the situation Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka have put the Spaniard into, and it’s unlikely to change anytime soon. There is interest in Marc Roca’s services, so a departure, even on loan, is a likely outcome
Potential Newcomers
Well….there are a few, some ready, some fantasised. Let’s investigate below:
Noussair Mazraoui is seen as the new first-choice right-back to replace the position movement of Benjamin Pavard, who has expressed his desire to play centrally. The transfer is reportedly completed, but we will need to wait for the official announcement
Ryan Gravenberch is seen as Corentin Tolisso’s replacement, although Marcel Sabitzer will likely be above him in the list (keep reading). There’s a standoff between Ajax and Bayern about the transfer fee, but with his contract expiring in 2023 and confirmed intentions not to renew, he could be heading to Munich a year later
There are a list of potential Robert Lewandowski (continue reading) replacements should he leave, including, but not limited to, Patrik Schick, Sebastian Haller, Erling Haaland, Cristiano Ronaldo, Darwin Nunez, Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner, and Karim Adeyimi, although the latter is extremely close to a Borussia Dortmund transfer
Serge Gnabry is also a hot topic (once again, read below) and could require someone new to come in, most notably Christopher Nkunku or Ousmane Dembélé, according to reports
Drama, Drama, and More Drama (3)
Marcel Sabitzer (CM/CAM/RW)
The former Nagelsmann favourite has seen his role significantly diminish at the record champions. Fast, versatile, adaptable, and a long-range sniper, he is seen as the rotation option between Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka. However, there has been a consideration on whether his salary package is acceptable for such a role, and his disappointment in not anchoring himself down as an important player. Whether he departs to another club as a first-choice midfielder or not is his decision, but we can’t help questioning the original decision of this transfer, to begin with
Serge Gnabry (RW/LW/SS/ST)
The German started his first season with all guns blazing and has regained form under Julian Nagelsmann this year. With his contract expiring in June 2023 and the board refusing to negotiate an extension to his demands, we could see Serge Gnabry head somewhere new as soon as next month. Arsenal, Tottenham, and Real Madrid are all circling him like hawks, and if the right offer comes, expect FC Bayern to accept it in the first instance
Robert Lewandowski (ST)
What more can we say? The club’s board is playing dirty, only offering a one-year extension to his current contract. As explained in a previous post, this strategy would give FC Bayern all the negotiating power in the future, and Lewy knows this. If he can’t push for a two-year extension on his terms, expect the Polish hitman to force a move to Catalonia next month. The German champions have the right to refuse any transfer fee, but if they do end up agreeing to terms with Erling Haaland, there’s only one way this situation can go
