Bayern Munich’s youth players open up about their experience in Germany
Bayern Munich youth players Chris Richards and Taylor Booth talk about their experience in German football.
In the last two seasons, Bayern Munich has improved its recruitment in their youth teams. The German club has roped in some of the best young talents across the globe. This strategy will benefit the club in the long term as some players may go on to make it in the first team.
Die Roten also started a partnership with FC Dallas that will see some youth players plying their trade in Germany. Chris Richards has been one of the biggest positives of the program as he joined Bayern permanently in January 2019 after a successful loan spell.
Richards has been a mainstay in reserves side. He has been playing in central defense for the youth team and taking great strides in his development. The 20-year-old defender has also trained with the first team on a few occasions.
In an interview with Bundesliga.com, Richards compared the massive difference between football in his home country and Germany. The teenager admits that competition in Germany is more intense and physical.
"“Back in the US we used to go into most games expecting to win, but here the level is pretty much the same throughout the league.”“With the U23s you’re playing against grown men every weekend, so you’re playing pro football now. The speed of play is a lot different, and it’s way more physical.”"
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Richards is considered one of the best young talents in the world. He still has a lot to learn at Bayern, but his performances for the youth team are an encouraging sign. Die Roten needs to make sure that he continues his development at this rate and maybe one day break into the first team.
Apart from FC Dallas, Bayern has also recruited young players from other teams in MLS. Richards’ compatriot Taylor Booth joined Die Roten from Real Salt Lake. The U-19 US international plays in midfield for the reserves side at Bayern.
Booth is also in agreement with Richards about the level of intensity in German football. He believes that there is more emphasis on the technical side of the game in his home country. Booth insists that the intensity and physical nature of the game are also equally important along with the technical aspect of the game in Germany.
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Bayern Munich has very promising young players at their disposal. The club needs to manage the development of these players with proper loan programs and direct path in the first team to display their talents. The club has struggled to make youth players a vital part of the senior team in the past few seasons. It will be a big disappointment if there is not a single player from the current crop that doesn’t establish himself in the first team.