Bayern Strikes
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Five Bayern Munich players who could be in for a big season

By Kiran Thakare

MUNICH, GERMANY - AUGUST 13: Kingsley Coman (3rd row, 2ndL) and Corentin Tolisso (2nd row, R) of FC Bayern Muenchen chat during the team presentation at Allianz Arena on August 13, 2018 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by A. Beier/Getty Images for FC Bayern)
MUNICH, GERMANY - AUGUST 13: Kingsley Coman (3rd row, 2ndL) and Corentin Tolisso (2nd row, R) of FC Bayern Muenchen chat during the team presentation at Allianz Arena on August 13, 2018 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by A. Beier/Getty Images for FC Bayern) /
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Can Thiago Alcantara regain his form and establish himself as one of the world’s best? (Photo by Adam Pretty/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Can Thiago Alcantara regain his form and establish himself as one of the world’s best? (Photo by Adam Pretty/Bongarts/Getty Images) /

Thiago Alcantara

There has been a lot of speculation surrounding the future of Thiago Alcantara at Bayern Munich this summer. The Spaniard has been linked with moves to both Barcelona and Real Madrid, as some reports claimed the club were prepared to offload the player this summer.

Bayern’s hierarchy, however, have always maintained that Thiago remains an important part of the club’s plans for next season, though. It will be a huge surprise if the former Barcelona midfielder leaves Bayern in the final ten days of the transfer window.

Thiago has enjoyed much success at Bayern Munich since joining the club in 2013. However, his contribution towards this success has been very little. He has struggled heavily with injuries throughout the past five seasons. Thiago enjoyed a brief two year spell from 2015 to 2017 where he became a key player for Bayern under two different managers. Carlo Ancelotti, taking over from Pep Guardiola, was very fond of the Spanish midfielder and made him the main man in midfield.

Despite his glut of experience, Thiago is just entering the prime years of his career. He is a versatile midfielder and can operate in many midfield positions. On his day, he is the best midfielder in the division.

In Bayern’s few preseason games, Javi Martinez has been deployed as a holding midfielder, so Thiago is likely to be played as a number eight under Niko Kovac. He is a crucial player for Bayern in this setup as he sets the tempo for the rest of the team. Thiago is a press-resistant midfielder, fantastic at controlling the ball in tight spaces. He has the vision to dissect a stubborn defense and a knack for scoring goals with his late runs.

None of Bayern’s other midfielders offer a skillset quite like the Spaniard’s. Thiago has a clean slate under Kovac, as he struggled to get game-time under Jupp Heynckes after returning from injury. If he remains fit this season, it could potentially be his best campaign since joining the club.