FC Bayern Munich: Assessing options in defensive department

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Lucas Hernandez and Jerome Boateng will be important players for FC Bayern Munich. (Photo by CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP via Getty Images) /

Central Defenders: Good mix of different profiles

After the departure of Mats Hummels last summer, the Bavarian faithful expected Niklas Sule, Lucas Hernandez, and Benjamin Pavard to play consistently in the heart of the defense. However, the 2019/20 campaign had a different script. None of them played frequently in central defense for a sustained period.

Sule suffered a serious knee injury in October that ruled him out for more than ten months. The German defender is back to his best. His return will allow Die Roten to become much more solid defensively.

Lucas Hernandez also had an injury-riddled debut campaign. The French center-back is now fit and raring to go. Hernandez excelled at Atletico Madrid in defense. With injury problems behind him, the Frenchman has ideal conditions to shine in Bavaria.

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Sule and Hernandez act as new arrivals for different reasons. Bayern decided to further strengthen this area by signing Tanguy Kouassi from Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer. The young defender is likely to be eased into the first team. Jerome Boateng and David Alaba were key players for Flick, so they will have a big role to play this season.

Meanwhile, Benjamin Pavard and Javi Martinez are also options in central defense. Flick has a good balance of right and left-footed central defenders in the current squad. He can rotate in this position without any significant drop in quality. In terms of individual quality, Bayern is blessed in central defense, but implementing a strict organization will depend on the manager and coaching staff.