Bayern Munich has a decision to make this summer regarding the goalkeeping situation. Manuel Neuer turned 35 on Saturday, but he is showing no signs of decline. After a couple of tough years due to injury, Neuer has been back to his best in the last 18 months.
Neuer’s good form has made sure that last summer’s recruit Alexander Nubel had to warm the bench for most of the campaign. The former Schalke goalkeeper has managed only three appearances across all competitions this season.
After Nubel had signed a pre-contract agreement with Die Roten last January, there were few eyebrows raised amongst the Bavarian faithful. The club’s ambition to every position was on display, but managing both goalkeepers was always going to be a big problem going forward.
Until now, Nubel has been a mere spectator in Bavaria. His agent recently admitted that a loan move in summer looks imminent. While speaking to Sport1 this week, Nubel’s agent revealed that the plan was always to be the second-choice goalkeeper in the first season. However, he insisted that another campaign with minimal playing time will be detrimental for Nubel.
Stefan Backs (Nübel's agent): "It was clear to us that Alex would play this current role for a year, even though five or six games are not enough. But there cannot be a second year like this because match practice is essential for a young player" [Meine Bayern-Woche, @Plettigoal] pic.twitter.com/wLa59ayU2Q
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) March 26, 2021
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Monaco has reportedly emerged as a loan option for Nubel. The French club could be a good destination for him since they have been doing well in Ligue 1 under former Bayern manager Niko Kovac. Going out on loan is crucial for Nubel, but the club he selects needs to suit his qualities and help him to develop as a goalkeeper.
If Rekordmeister is reluctant to allow Alexander Nubel to go out on loan, then they have to make sure that Nubel gets enough playing time next season. He is not going to replace Neuer straightaway for sure, but slowly integrating him would help him to eventually become the number one at the club.
Allowing Nubel to get game time in cup competitions next season would be a step in the right direction. Barcelona had adopted a similar strategy when they had two good goalkeepers in Claudio Bravo and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen. Either Die Roten commit at least a third of Bundesliga games for Nubel next season or allow him to play in every cup game.
Alexander Nubel has previously shown in the Bundesliga that he is a fine shot-stopper. The German goalkeeper had a steep learning curve during his first season in Bavaria. He probably picked up a lot of things while training with the best goalkeeper in the world, but next season is all about getting minutes under his belt.