Bayern Munich: Five Things to look forward to in 2020

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HAMBURG, GERMANY – JANUARY 10: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Goalkeeper Alexander Nuebel of Schalke looks on during a friendly match between Hamburger SV and FC Schalke 04 at Volksparkstadion on January 10, 2020, in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /

Alexander Nubel

I feel like this one might get overlooked, considering he can’t contribute until July and will be behind Manuel Neuer when he gets here. However, Alexander Nubel is tipped to be the future number one goalkeeper of Bayern and Germany. There are reports that Nubel will receive game time for Die Roten next season, so there is reason to be excited about his arrival. At some point, Manuel Neuer will not be a world-class goalkeeper and will have to be replaced. It is incredibly reassuring to see that the succession plan is in place.

Looking at the stats in the Bundesliga, Nubel has made 15 starts in the season and conceded only 18 goals. So far he has faced 62 shots on target, saving 48 of them, taking his save percentage close to 71. Compared to Neuer, Nubel has played two fewer games but has a higher save percentage. Neuer has played 17 matches, facing 68 shots on target, and saving 49 of them allowing 22 goals in the first half of the season with his save percentage currently sitting at 67.6. Both keepers are very close statistically, further enhancing the prediction that there shouldn’t be a huge drop off in performance when Nubel plays.

Another aspect of Nubel to get excited about is his leadership ability. He’s only 23 years old but has already been named captain of the very prideful and historic Schalke squad. He has now been stripped from the captaincy due to his transfer to Bayern, but he surely has the leadership qualities that will benefit Bayern in the future. Most Bayern fans consider Joshua Kimmich to be the heir apparent to the captaincy, but Nubel will also be a contender for that title.