Bayern Munich: Konrad Laimer enjoying competition in midfield
Bayern Munich had identified the midfield department as a key area to address in the summer transfer window. They improved Thomas Tuchel’s options in the center of the park by signing Konrad Laimer from RB Leipzig on a free transfer. The Austrian midfielder has been a long-term target for Bayern.
Rekordmeister tried to sign Laimer last summer, but RB Leipzig rejected three bids for the Austrian midfielder. The Bavarian club eventually decided to reignite their interest in Laimer this summer when he decided to leave Leipzig on a free transfer.
Konrad Laimer started all games in the pre-season for Bayern. He was paired with Joshua Kimmich in the center of the park. It was widely reported in Germany that Laimer and Kimmich are likely to be the preferred midfield pairing for Tuchel this season. However, the German coach opted for Leon Goretzka over Laimer against Werder Bremen in the first Bundesliga game of the season.
Laimer came on for Bayern later in the game against Werder Bremen. It was a steady Bayern debut in the Bundesliga for the Austrian midfielder. While talking to club media on Wednesday (via iMiaSanMia), Laimer admitted that he is not fussed about the competition in the midfield department.
"“We push each other to achieve our best performance level. That also applies to me – I’m trying to get better with every training session and every game and reach the next level. I’m very relaxed.”"
Tuchel admitted that Goretzka was needed against Bremen to get more height in the starting XI to compete with Bremen’s tall starting XI. It will be interesting to see if there are changes to the midfield combination on Sunday when Bayern host Augsburg in the Bundesliga.
Joshua Kimmich remains the main man for Bayern in the midfield. The rotation is likely to take place in the second midfield spot over the season. Goretzka and Laimer will be fighting for this second midfield slot, while Ryan Gravenberch is the fourth midfield option for Bayern and Thomas Tuchel.
The German coach wanted to sign one more midfielder this summer. Tuchel wanted a number six, which will allow him to use Kimmich further higher up the pitch. However, Bayern chiefs believe that there are enough midfield options in the squad for this season. The addition of a holding midfielder may take place next summer.
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Another midfield addition cannot be ruled out for Bayern this summer just yet. There is constant speculation about the future of Ryan Gravenberch. If the Dutch midfielder pushes for a move, Bayern may have to look for a replacement who will compete with Laimer and Goretzka for a place in the starting XI.