Bayern Munich has one of football’s most extraordinary talents in Jamal Musiala — but is the club surrounding him with enough? Not according to former Bayern player Holger Badstuber, who broke down the team’s strengths and weaknesses during the Winterpause.
Badstuber maintains a column on Web.de, and his comments this time were captured by Sport Bild.
“His influence on the game is impressive and I am a big fan of him. He is already close to world class,” Badstuber wrote. “But a club like FC Bayern cannot be so dependent on a 21-year-old…Musiala’s colleagues are often lacking creativity when he is not there. There has to be more.”
Bayern definitely miss Musiala’s presence whenever he is not on the field, and Bayern’s creative output could certainly be addressed in the transfer market with additions such as Leverkusen maestro Florian Wirtz. But balance will be key, and so will managing the workload of stars such as Musiala — and Kane, whom Badstuber pleaded should make sure the club keeps him fresh enough for the “decisive phase” of the campaign.
And the defense — which has limited chances but still has given up critical goals in the odd game or two — has work to do behind them, too.
“The FCB defense still lacks the necessary composure and inner conviction to compete at the top level internationally,” Badstuber added — perhaps with moments like Bayern’s recent 2-1 defeat to Mainz in mind.
Is the former Bayern star’s diagnosis correct? Is Musiala having to drag this team forward — and how much does everyone have to step up around him?
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