This is why Bayern Munich are one of the true ‘role model’ clubs in European Football these past few decades. They have (yet again) turned a bad situation into one of the deals of the summer by essentially offloading a disgruntled Robert Lewandowski for one of Europe’s premier young defenders, Matthijs de Ligt.
This was shaping out to be a lose-lose situation for Bayern Munich. Robert Lewandowski, the club’s star striker, perennial 20-goal scorer, Balon D’or-caliber player, and has led Bayern’s front line for the past eight years, was refusing to play for the club. Now, a player of his caliber refusing to play is bad to begin with. What’s worse? He only has one more year on his contract, with Barcelona ready to pounce for his signature.
This would have been a nightmare situation for any other club, but not for Bayern Munich. They have miraculously been able to swindle €50M out from Barcelona for a 34-year-old on an expiring contract and have used said cash to plug a different hole in their team: defense.
With longtime center-back David Alaba’s departure for Real Madrid last offseason, the Bayern Munich defense was rudderless last season. Last year, they gave up their second highest GA tally in the past eight seasons with 37. The season before (even with Alaba), they gave their highest in the past eight season with 44. Clearly, something was wrong with their defense.
With the two young center-backs, Lucas Hernandez and Dayot Upamecano, taking over the starting center-back positions these past two years, it is clear they need another young, but experienced partner. That would be Juventus’ Mattijs de Ligt.
Starting his career at Ajax, the Dutch international has played in the biggest games (Champions League Semi-Final, Serie A winner, Eredivisie Winner, Europa League Final, etc.) and with some of the world’s most famous players (Cristiano Ronaldo, Giorgio Chelini, Leonardo Bonucci, Paulo Dybala, Gianluigi Buffon, etc.) at Juventus and Ajax these past four seasons.
At only 22 years old, de Ligt has already outclassed both Upamecano and Hernandez in experience and winning trophies. I would be shocked if he is not a starter come the start of the Bundesliga season. Plus, Bayern did pay €80M (though only €30M of their own money) for him, so that is another reason for him to start.
Bayern Munich have been a “role model” club for so many years, so it should be no surprise that they have turned this bad Lewandowski situation into a great one. Now, you may still be wondering who will be Bayern’s new striker? Well, according to CEO Oliver Kahn, they want…Harry Kane.
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