Bayern Munich defender reaping rewards of hard work in summer

Bayern Munich full-back Sacha Boey is pleased with the way things are panning out for him this season after difficult 20 months.
Sacha Boey in action for Bayern Munich against Borussia Dortmund.
Sacha Boey in action for Bayern Munich against Borussia Dortmund. | Kevin Voigt/GettyImages

Bayern Munich have endured rotten luck in the left-back position this season with injuries to Hiroki Ito, Alphonso Davies, Raphael Guerreiro, and Josip Stanisic. Vincent Kompany has been using Konrad Laimer in the left-back role during the last few weeks.

Laimer has been doing a fine job in the left-back position, working tirelessly when it comes to contributing at both ends of the pitch. He has been a valuable player for Kompany as he can do a good job in either full-back position and play well in the center of the back.

With Laimer playing in the left-back position, Sacha Boey has been getting consistent playing time in the right-back role. The French defender started for Bayern against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. He stayed on the pitch for 84 minutes before getting substituted for Tom Bischof.

Boey has fared well in the opportunities he has had over the last few weeks. It has been a challenging 20 months for Boey since arriving from Galatasaray at the start of 2024. While talking to Sky Sports journalist Kerry Hau on Saturday, Boey insisted that working hard during the summer and the support of the coach and teammates have helped him to get back in form.

"I'm doing very well – mentally, physically, and with the team. I feel the coach's trust, and that's very important to me. I didn't change anything special over the summer; I just kept working. My teammates have always supported me. I feel very good. It's a great start to the season for us. We want to keep it up"
Sacha Boey

Boey was top candidate for sale in summer

Things were far from smooth sailing for Boey in the summer. There was constant speculation around his future in Munich. Bayern were open to parting ways with him in the summer. The Bavarian club reportedly offered him to Juventus in the final days of the transfer window.

Olympique Marseille had also shown concrete interest in the French defender. Galatasaray was also reportedly keen on bringing him back to Turkey. Boey was determined to stay at Bayern. He eventually got his wish as the transfer window ended with him staying in Munich.

Vincent Kompany was keen on signing Boey during his time managing Burnley. After arriving in Munich to replace Thomas Tuchel, Kompany was expected to make Boey a key player on the pitch. However, consistent injuries ensured Boey never got a run in the starting XI until now.

Boey still has a long way to go in terms of convincing the Bayern hierarchy that he has a long-term future in Bavaria. The last few weeks have been promising, but he needs to be consistent in order to challenge other full-backs when they return to full fitness. Kompany will be pleased to have so many players fighting for a place in the back four during the second half of the season.