Bayern Munich: Niko Kovac emphasizes patience with Renato Sanches
Croatian manager Niko Kovac is ready to be patient with Renato Sanches while trying to make him an important part of his Bayern Munich side.
Bayern Munich started their pre-season tour with a win over Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday. The German champions came from a goal behind to clinch a convincing 3-1 win over their French counterparts. Renato Sanches was Bayern’s best player throughout, scoring a sublime free-kick in the second half. The Portuguese midfielder also kept hings ticking in the middle of the park and played a crucial role in the third goal.
Niko Kovac has spoken highly of Sanches since day one of his tenure at Bayern. The Croatian manager is keen to help Sanches fulfill his potential at Bayern Munich. After the game against PSG, Kovac told the media (via Goal) that he is prepared to remain patient with the Portuguese midfielder. He further added that the young midfielder has greatly impressed him in pre-season training.
"“This is the same with any foreign player, you have to give the players time. I do not think that time was given to him and now he has this time.“He came into training very motivated from the beginning, I’ve seen it every day for three weeks, he is really pushing and that’s why I’m glad that he made a good game and scored a nice free-kick goal.”"
Sanches joined Bayern Munich in 2016 for €35 million after beating various top clubs to his signature. The Portuguese midfielder had enjoyed an excellent debut campaign with Benfica the season prior. In the same summer, Sanches was a key player for Portugal when they won the Euros, and he eventually won the Golden Boy award for his exploits in ’15-16 season.
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Things started going south for Sanches when he joined Bayern, though. He struggled to get regular gametime under Carlo Ancelotti as there was a lot of competition for places in midfield.
Sanches finished his first season in Bavaria with 26 appearances in all competitions, but almost all were from the bench. He was not able to score or assist a single goal that season.
After Xabi Alonso’s retirement at the end of the ’16-17 season, Sanches was expected to get more gametime at the club. However, the arrival of Sebastian Rudy from Hoffenheim reduced his chances. Sanches was linked with a move away from the club on a temporary basis throughout the summer.
Bayern Munich eventually agreed a loan deal with Swansea City at the end of the transfer window. This move turned out to be a disastrous for the 20-year-old. He struggled throughout the season due to injuries and poor form. There were reports emerging from England about the poor attitude shown by the midfielder in training, and his poor season at Swansea eventually cost him a place in Portugal’s World Cup squad.
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The German champions are desperate to make Sanches a successful signing. He is still 20 and has all the qualities to be a top class midfielder. Bayern do not want to send him on one more loan spell next season. Sanches will still have a lot of competition next season at Bayern, but he has shown positive signs in the pre-season training. Kovac will be hoping to get the best out of him throughout this season.