Covering all bases in wide positions
Bayern Munich decided to spend a major chunk of the transfer budge on Leroy Sane. The young German winger was the club’s top transfer target last summer, but a severe injury scuppered the move. Sane was determined to join Die Roten, so the club completed the deal in July.
The former Schalke winger will bring creativity and productivity in the final third. The German winger became more efficient in the final third under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. He will provide natural width as well as goals and assists in the last phase of the pitch. His versatility will also allow Hansi Flick to have a fluid front three as Gnabry and Sane can keep swapping flanks.
Gnabry had a phenomenal second season in Bavaria as he scored more than 20 goals across all competitions. The German international will be looking to get even better this season.
Meanwhile, Kingsley Coman will be looking to thrive under competition for places in the team. The French winger ended the last campaign on a high by scoring in the final against Paris Saint-Germain. Coman will have to get better in the final third and target at least 20 goals and assists across all competitions.
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Flick wanted to add another winger to his squad. After failed efforts for Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ivan Perisic, Douglas Costa returned to the club from Juventus on a one-year loan deal. The Brazilian winger struggled with injuries last season, but on his day, he is unplayable on the right flank with his trickery and pace.
In Perisic, Die Roten have lost work rate in the attacking department, but Flick can find a solution with a different set of wide players to his disposal. Jamal Musiala will also have a big role to play this season as the youngster has shown great maturity while playing for the first team in the last few games. The 17-year-old forward will take up Philippe Coutinho’s role in the squad, providing guile and cutting edge in the final third. Thomas Muller does play in the attacking midfield role, but he can also be deployed on both flanks if the situation demands.