Bayern Munich has always focussed on getting talent through the academy and make them the stars in the first team. In the last two years, the German club has been able to integrate one young player per season in the first team.
Even though Alphonso Davies was bought for a big fee from Vancouver Whitecaps, he was not expected to get into the first team so quickly. The Canadian winger seamlessly slotted in the left-back position and played a big role in the club’s treble-winning campaign. Davies is currently one of the best left-backs in Europe.
After Davies, Die Roten managed to make Jamal Musiala the key player in the first team. The teenager managed to make an immediate impact during his first season by scoring big goals and delivering strong performances against big teams. Musiala ended up going to Euro 2020 with Germany due to his stellar first full season with the senior team at Bayern.
This season it does look like that breakthrough star for Rekordmeister will be Josip Stanisic. The Croatian defender has impressed on the pitch in the limited opportunities he got at the start of the season. While talking to the club’s magazine, Stanisic admitted that he is keeping a calm head and playing to his strengths in the first team.
"“Above all, it needs hard work and also lots of patience. Not everybody has such outstanding talent as Jamal Musiala for example that he can go straight into the first team at the age of 18. And, of course, you need a bit of luck to be in the right place at the right time. If you get the chance then you shouldn’t drive yourself crazy after a poor game but instead trust your strengths.”"
Stanisic started the season in the right-back position after delivering impressive performances during pre-season friendlies. The absence of Benjamin Pavard due to injury made sure that Stanisic had the chance to start few games in a row. The Croatian defender has made eight appearances this season until now, which underlines how highly Nagelsmann rates him.
Even with the return of Pavard, Stanisic has been getting minutes here and there for Die Roten. His progress at the club level has been rewarded with the call-up for the national team. After playing for the U-21 team of Croatia in the first international break, Stanisic could get his senior cap in the next two weeks.
It is a testament to Stanisic’s rapid growth in the first team that he has overtaken Bouna Sarr in the pecking order for the right-back position. The youngster needs to build on this start to solidify a place in the first team.
Stanisic’s positive growth over the current season can alter Bayern’s plans in the transfer market. The Croatian will provide quality depth in the right-back position, allowing Die Roten to focus on other areas of the squad.