Bayern Munich manager Carlo Ancelotti speaks out about Thomas Muller’s role in his stacked squad.
For the first time in seasons, there is only one true Bavarian in the Bayern Munich squad. With the retirement of Philipp Lahm and departure of Holger Badstuber, Die Roten enter the ’17-18 season with Thomas Muller as their only completely home-grown player.
It’s been a difficult year-and-a-half for the Raumdeuter. Since his poor showing for Germany at the 2016 Euros, Muller hasn’t exactly been himself. However, his form seems to be on the incline after a great start to the ’17-18 season and an excellent pre-season before that.
Despite Muller’s apparent return to form, Carlo Ancelotti left him out of the Bayern starting XI two weekend’s ago against Werder Bremen. He was, however, brought in off the bench and showed his worth by setting up Robert Lewandowski for the Pole’s second goal.
Muller mused after the match that perhaps his talents are “not in demand” under Ancelotti. The Italian manager caught wind of his player’s comments though, and recently spoke out himself about Muller’s place in the squad (via ESPNFC).
"“When a player doesn’t play, of course he is not happy. He complained a little bit after the game, of course this is absolutely normal. I prefer to have an unhappy player when he does not play, than to have a player happy to stay on the bench.“I speak with [Muller] everyday — we have no problem. He is an imoprtant player for us, I know his history but we have a lot of important players here."
Muller’s importance to the squad goes much further than his on-field skills. As previously mentioned, Muller is the sole Bavarian left in Munich. Furthermore, he is the team’s vice-captain and a definite fan favorite. Ancelotti continued,
"“As I said, it is not possible for us to play all season with only 11 players. There will be rotation, sometimes Muller is going to play, sometimes Muller or others have to go on the bench — when they are all fit, someone unfortunately has to sit in the stands.“I would like to put all my players in the first XI, but this is not possible. I have the responsibility to choose the lineup and for this reason all my players are important, even when they don’t play sometimes.”"
Muller is a massively important player for Bayern Munich and Carlo Ancelotti knows that. Several former players for Bayern and Germany criticized Ancelotti over his treatment of the raumdeuter, but the Italian manager is not phased. He sarcastically thanked them for their advice, but coolly explained he knows what he is doing.
The Bavarian has experienced a fantastic return to form lately, and one game spent sitting on the bench for 60 minutes won’t hurt that. Muller knows what he has to do to earn his spot in the starting XI and will surely do all he can to make sure that happens.
Next: Five things Carlo Ancelotti must do for a successful season
Oh, and the rumors linking Muller with a move to England? Ignore them. They’re absolutely nonsensical. Thomas Muller is Bayern; and he won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.