As reported by Bild, Bayern Munich have put in place an emergency plan after they failed to secure multiple signings throughout the summer transfer window. While the signing of Harry Kane will undoubtedly be considered a roaring success for those at the Säbener Straße, the failure to finalise a deal for either João Palhinha from Fulham or Kyle Walker from Manchester City has left Bayern short in a number of key areas.
The departures of Benjamin Pavard to Inter Milan and Josip Stanišić to Bayer Leverkusen have left Die Rekordmeister with Noussair Mazraoui and Bouna Sarr as the options on offer for Thomas Tuchel at right-back. Konrad Laimer has been identified as Mazraoui’s natural back-up due to the reluctance to utilise the out-of-favour Sarr, but this would then affect Tuchel’s midfield rotation.
However, the sale of Pavard has left Bayern short on centre back coverage, with Kim Min-jae, Matthijs de Ligt and Dayot Upamecano the three senior options on hand for Tuchel. Tarek Buchmann, who signed his first professional deal with the German champions at the start of the summer, will offer cover to a limited backline despite missing the majority of pre-season through injury.
While the final part of Bayern’s unenviable emergency plan will see 19-year-old Aleksandar Pavlovic potentially be given a number of opportunities in midfield. Failing to sign Palhinha on deadline day after selling Ryan Gravenberch to Liverpool would have frustrated the Bayern board – and all those associated with the club – deeply, and Tuchel will hope that talented teenager can make a positive impact for the Rekordmeister this season.
While the opening two matchday’s has heralded a comfortable start to the season for Bayern, it would be hard to suggest that the remainder of the season will continue in the same fashion. Tuchel will have to make adjustments to a side low on numbers and as the head coach would explain: “We have less competition in the individual defensive positions than we had last season. That’s not exactly a dream scenario.”
GGFN | Will Shopland