Choupo-Moting considers Bayern Munich teammate as the best striker in the world.
After investing heavily in defense during the summer transfer window in 2019, Bayern Munich switched their attention to add players in the attacking department this year. Leroy Sane arrived from Manchester City as the top attacking option as the club wanted quality options on the flanks.
As the window was coming to an end, reports started floating in Germany that Die Roten also wants to bring a striker to provide cover for Robert Lewandowski. There were reportedly talks with Hoffenheim for Andrej Kramaric, but the transfer fee for the Croatian striker was expected to be hefty.
The European Champions eventually decided to sign Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting on a free transfer in the last weekend of the summer transfer window. The Cameroonian striker was a free agent after his contract at Paris Saint-Germain expired after the Champions League final in Lisbon, which was coincidently against Bayern.
Choupo-Moting has fairly decent playing time since arriving in Bavaria two months ago. In an interview with SportBild, the former PSG striker admitted that Lewandowski is the best forward in the world, and he is pleased to work with him in Bavaria. He also insisted that moving to Bayern was a big step in his career.
"“When it comes to killer instinct, Lewandowski is currently number one. It’s crazy how often he scores. It’s not luck, it’s skill.”“He has rightly been named Europe’s Footballer of the Year. I can also copy one or two things from him: how he controls the ball and hits different types of shots. We immediately had a good relationship here.”"
More from Bayern Strikes
- Bayern Munich: Tactical takeaways from 2-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen
- Bayern Munich: Kingsley Coman set to be fit for Manchester United clash
- Bayern Munich unlikely to move for Trevoh Chalobah in January
- Bayern Munich: Key lessons from draw against Bayer Leverkusen
- Bayern Munich remains keen on hiring Max Eberl
Considering the depressing financial situation at European clubs during the pandemic, signing a backup striker on a free transfer made sense for Die Roten. Choupo-Moting confirmed that PSG had offered him a contract extension, but he was eager to return to Germany. He had managed to come up with some big goals for the French club, including the winner against Atalanta in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
The Cameroon striker made his debut for Bayern during the DFB Pokal clash against FC Duren in October. He got on the scoresheet during that game. Since Hansi Flick is rotating the starting XI consistently, Choupo-Moting is likely to get more playing time as the season progresses.
Since Die Roten clinched round of 16 qualification in the Champions League, Choupo-Moting is likely to start in the last two group games. This is a unique season where Die Roten is in contention for six trophies in a short period, so players such as Choupo-Moting will have a big role to play.
Bayern has struggled to find a backup striker for Lewandowski in the past. Sandro Wagner arrived at the club from Hoffenheim, but he left after 12 months due to lack of playing time under Niko Kovac. The club will be hoping that Choupo-Moting fares well than him and enjoys success during his two-year-long contract.