Bayern Munich officially kick-off their ’17-18 Bundesliga campaign this Friday. Here’s some things to keep your eye on as they head into their new season.
1) Sebastian Rudy, Bayern Munich’s midfield general
Of all Bayern Munich’s new players added over the summer, Sebastian Rudy perhaps seemed the least ambitious. The German international was one of the Bundesliga’s best midfielders last season and a wonderful captain at Hoffenheim. However, that did not stop anyone from questioning his move to the Bavarian capital.
In fact, in my transfer rankings published a few weeks ago, I rated him as Bayern’s least important signing made this year. But if his displays for Bayern so far are any indication, I could not have been any more wrong.
He gave a man-of-the-match performance in Bayern’s Supercup victory over Borussia Dortmund, playing in a midfield trio alongside Corentin Tolisso and Arturo Vidal. He also came up big this past weekend as Bayern swept aside third division side Chemnitzer FC in the DFB Cup. Again featuring alongside Corentin Tolisso but this time in a double pivot, Rudy once again proved he isn’t content to watch from the sidelines in Munich.
The Bavarians lost a major cog in their machine when the last season came to an end. Legend of the game Xabi Alonso retired from playing, leaving the club without their most experienced midfielder. Although age was certainly taking its toll on the Spaniard, he nevertheless was important to the way Carlo Ancelotti operated his squad.
Many see Corentin Tolisso as the heir apparent to Alonso. However, in light of recent games, it looks like Sebastian Rudy might actually be the man for the job. Keep your eye on the midfield general as Bayern Munich launch their ’17-18 Bundesliga campaign.