Bayern Munich summer signings ranked from least to most important

Bayern Munich have been quite busy in the transfer market this summer. Which  new additions have been Bayern’s most and least important?

6) Sebastian Rudy

Over the winter transfer window, Bayern Munich announced a double swoop of two of Hoffenheim’s most important players. Sebastain Rudy, then Hoffenheim captain, was one of the two players said to be joining Bayern in the coming summer.

A deep-lying midfielder who can also feature at right-back, Rudy is joining Bayern as the quintessential utility man. He is a solid player, but that is about all that can be said of his talent. He lacks the box-to-box skills of Vidal, creative abilities of Thiago and overall dynamism of Coco Tolisso. He’s not bad, but he’s not great.

In fact, it’s hard to imagine him receiving much playing time bar a squad injury crisis. He’ll play occasionally, but making himself a first team regular will be a tall task. However, he has recently claimed to be up for the challenge.

He may be Bayern’s least significant summer signing, but he is by no means a bad one. First, he decided to join Die Roten on a free transfer; Bayern didn’t pay Hoffenheim a penny for him.

Second, he adds depth in multiple positions. As already noted, he can feature both as a midfielder and full-back. He may not quite be at the level of Bayern’s other stars, but he is still better than the majority of Bundesliga midfielders. He’s an excellent signing to give the bigger name guys a few days off.

5) Serge Gnabry

Serge Gnabry was one of Germany’s most important players in last summer’s Olympic games. The ex-Arsenal man tied for top-scorer at the tournament where his country finished runners-up.

After a breakout Bundesliga season with Werder Bremen, Gnabry was swooped up by Bayern Munich and subsequently loaned to Hoffenheim.

His one-year loan means that most Bayern fans will have to wait at least another season before seeing what Gnabry brings to the table. But that’s okay. This move wasn’t made to help Bayern Munich now; it was made to secure a bright future.

Not only does this signing show great foresight on Bayern Munich’s part, but also great business. Bayern paid a meager €8 million to trigger his release clause, almost half of his listed €15 million value on Transfermarkt.

Gnabry is a low risk purchase by Bayern with massive reward potential. Should he continue to excel and develop at Hoffenheim, his signing could go down as one of the smartest transfer moves made in Bayern history.

4) Niklas Süle

Let’s get one thing out of the way: Niklas Süle is an excellent signing. His place on this list says more about quality of Bayern’s other new signings than it does his ability as a player.

The young German was one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga last season at the ripe age of 21. He carried his excellent form with him into the summer, where he had a fantastic Confederations Cup with Die Mannschaft.

Standing at 6′ 4″ (roughly 1.95 meters) and built like an Ox, Süle is an absolute tank in defense. What’s even more, the big man has quick feet! He’s capable of keeping up with even the fastest of attackers.

He’ll have a tough time breaking into the Bayern Munich back line in his first season. The Bavarians possess some of the world’s absolute best center-backs in Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng and Javi Martinez.

However, if any young defender has the potential to break into the Bayern first-team, it’s Süle. The German seems completely up to the task as well, ready to fight for his due playing time.

How often Carlo Ancelotti opts to use him is still up in the air, but with the rate Bayern defenders obtain injuries, expect to see him soon and often.

Niklas Süle may one day prove to be the defensive rock at the heart of Bayern’s defense, but for now he’s still a rotation player. The next three men, however, are sure to be mainstays of the Bayern starting XI not only this season, but in the seasons to come as well.

3) Kingsley Coman

After spending two seasons at Bayern Munich on loan from Juventus, Kingsley Coman is officially part of Die Roten. Bayern exercised their option to buy and brought in Coman for €21 million, a sum that could prove an absolute steal in the future.

The Frenchman’s time at Bayern Munich so far has been a tale of two seasons. Under Pep Guardiola Coman was one of Europe’s most feared young wingers. He contributed six goals and eleven assists in his debut season, despite only being 19 years old.

One of each came in an excellent substitute performance against his former club Juventus in a Champions League quarter-final.

This past season under Carlo Ancelotti could not have gone any more different. The speedy winger spent a good portion of the season injured and struggled for playing time when fit. He picked up form as the season waned, but still only managed two goals and a single assist through 21 showings (10 starts).

Kingsley Coman now enters into the ’17-18 season with much to prove. There were signs of his overwhelming potential even in his poor performances of last season. Perhaps with consistent playing time and two seasons of experience, Coman will be able to deliver week in and week out once again. Surely he’ll be out to do just that and prove his doubters wrong.

It’s important to remember, however, that he is still only 21 and developing as a player. But with proper guidance and an increased load of responsibility, Kingsley Coman can become a vital member of the Bayern Munich starting eleven.

2) Corentin Tolisso

Officially the most expensive signing ever made by Bayern Munich, Coco Tolisso is an exciting midfield prospect. The Frenchman is coming off four consecutive successful seasons with Lyon, where he has consistently played a vital role in their midfield.

Coco is equally comfortable playing in a deeper role as a holding midfielder or directly in the center as a box-to-box beast. He can even feature further forward as a creative playmaker if needed.

If his pre-season showings are any indication, Tolisso is set to play a much larger role for the Bavarians than anyone could have initially guessed.

That will come as no surprise to the Bayern board, however, who knew how important of a signing he was to Carlo Ancelotti. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge spoke on Tolisso following his move:

"“We’re really pleased we’ve been able to sign such a young and interesting player ahead of stiff competition from abroad. Corentin Tolisso was Carlo Ancelotti’s wish for our midfield.”"

Being labeled Mr. Ancelotti’s “wish” is no small feat. Clearly the Italian maestro sees something in his new, young midfielder that excites him. And that should excite any Bayern Munich fan. Like Bayern’s other young stars, Coco Tolisso appears to have the making of something special about him. Give him a few years time and he may become one of Europe’s most feared midfielders.

For now, however, he must justify his price tag. Bayern fans jaded by the disappointment of Renato Sanches may be reluctant to buy in to the Tolisso hype. However, unlike Sanches, Coco has spent several seasons performing well in Europe. Furthermore, his pre-season showings indicate he fits into the Bayern system quite well, something Sanches failed to ever do.

1) James Rodriguez

Was there ever any doubt about this one? James Rodriguez is one of the biggest names in modern soccer and a massive addition for Bayern Munich. The Colombian is Bayern’s biggest signing, not only because of his on-field production but also his off-field status.

I’ve already written about why James is the perfect marquee signing for Bayern Munich. In that article, I discussed many reasons why he was the man Bayern needed but mostly focused on the on-field aspect of the signing.

James is young, versatile, creative and a goal-scoring threat. He is capable of playing in both wide areas, behind the striker or further back in the midfield. He works well with Carlo Ancelotti and adds an extra element to a Bayern squad who have needed that extra spark in later rounds of the Champions League throughout recent seasons.

However, his signing goes beyond his on-field contributions. The 2014 World Cup top scorer is a global star. His name carries significant weight that will bring with it many more fans and provide a rally point for those fans disappointed in Carlo Ancelotti’s debut season.

Big-name signings like James are a rarity for the majority of clubs. It’s been a long while since Bayern have brought in a player universally known, but James is that guy. He represents the future for Bayern Munich; he’s a signal from the club to fans that they hear the shouts of disappointment and are ready to do what it takes to improve.

Moreover, they signed him for dirt cheap! There’s no official report from the club, but if the rumors are true, Bayern’s James move will cost only €1 million more than Juventus paid for Douglas Costa. That’s an absolute steal for someone of his caliber!

Next: Chelsea enquire about Bayern Munich's Renato Sanches

If the Colombia international can live up to the mighty expectations held over him then he will become a Bayern Munich legend. His potential is through the roof and his desire is to be the best. James Rodriguez is simply the most exciting signing Bayern Munich have made in quite some time.