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Bayern Munich end-of-season awards

By Benjamin Scott

Bayern Munich's players including Bayern Munich's Dutch midfielder Arjen Robben celebrate with the trophy after the German first division Bundesliga football match FC Bayern Munich vs SC Freiburg, his last match for the club, in the southern German city of Munich on May 20, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Guenter SCHIFFMANN / RESTRICTIONS: DURING MATCH TIME: DFL RULES TO LIMIT THE ONLINE USAGE TO 15 PICTURES PER MATCH AND FORBID IMAGE SEQUENCES TO SIMULATE VIDEO. == RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE == FOR FURTHER QUERIES PLEASE CONTACT DFL DIRECTLY AT 49 69 650050 (Photo credit should read GUENTER SCHIFFMANN/AFP/Getty Images)
Bayern Munich's players including Bayern Munich's Dutch midfielder Arjen Robben celebrate with the trophy after the German first division Bundesliga football match FC Bayern Munich vs SC Freiburg, his last match for the club, in the southern German city of Munich on May 20, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Guenter SCHIFFMANN / RESTRICTIONS: DURING MATCH TIME: DFL RULES TO LIMIT THE ONLINE USAGE TO 15 PICTURES PER MATCH AND FORBID IMAGE SEQUENCES TO SIMULATE VIDEO. == RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE == FOR FURTHER QUERIES PLEASE CONTACT DFL DIRECTLY AT 49 69 650050 (Photo credit should read GUENTER SCHIFFMANN/AFP/Getty Images) /
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MUNICH, GERMANY – APRIL 01: Renato Sanches of FC Bayern Muenchen seen during the Bundesliga match between Bayern Muenchen and FC Augsburg at Allianz Arena on April 1, 2017 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Bongarts/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY – APRIL 01: Renato Sanches of FC Bayern Muenchen seen during the Bundesliga match between Bayern Muenchen and FC Augsburg at Allianz Arena on April 1, 2017 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Bongarts/Getty Images) /

Most disappointing player of the season: Renato Sanches

The 2016-17 season was largely one that many fans and players will be all to eager to leave in the past. Many players suffered a dip in form or failed to reach their obvious potential. One man, however, stood out above (or perhaps below) the rest as the most disappointing player throughout the season. That man was young Renato Sanches.

First things first. Yes, I understand that it’s hard to prove yourself when you’re hardly given any playing time. Yes, I understand that Sanches is only 19 and is new to the team, therefore needs more time to develop. Yes, I understand that he won the 2016 Golden Boy award and is still set to become one of the best players in Europe.

Now, with that out of the way: Sanches’ season was not good. Not good at all. He rarely featured for Bayern and was not even considered in important matches. When given playing time, he often looked completely out of sorts and never even showed a glimpse of the form he exhibited while helping Portugal to their Euro 2016 victory.

Sanches himself has recognized his woes and has vowed to do better in the coming seasons. He can only improve and will certainly be training hard over the summer to continue his development as a player.

Renato wasn’t the only disappointment of the season though. Both Thomas Muller and David Alaba–players who have been pillars of Bayern’s squad in the past–went through spells of utter mediocrity. Douglas Costa has completely lost his spark and Kingsley Coman has come nowhere near reaching the heights of his previous season. Carlo Ancelotti’s lack of rotation and game-time for the younger players could easily have taken this “award” as well.

Next: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: Bayern Munich have already chosen their summer transfer targets

Regardless, Sanches is the sole recipient of Bayern’s most disappointing player award. Hopefully, he keeps his promise and returns next season as a key player to Carlo Ancelotti’s Bayern Munich side.

Runner-up: Douglas Costa