“Bayern Munich will need him later this season”- Schweinsteiger backs out of favour star

Leon Goretzka is going through a difficult phase at Bayern Munich. The German midfielder is not part of the club’s immediate plans. Courtesy of an injury to Sacha Boey, Goretzka was back in the matchday squad against Dinamo Zagreb. The German midfielder was left out of the squad for last weekend’s Bundesliga clash against Holstein Kiel.

Goretzka has hardly played for Bayern this season. Even in the games he was part of the matchday squad, Goretzka has not come on the pitch. The Bavarian club told Goretzka to look for a new club in the summer, but he was determined to stay in Munich and fight for a place in the starting XI.

The 29-year-old got on the pitch against Dinamo Zagreb for the final ten minutes of the game. He made the most of this opportunity and scored Die Roten’s ninth goal in the game. While the goal will boost Goretzka’s confidence, he still has a long way to go in terms of getting a start at Bayern.

While talking to the media at the Laver Cup (via Sky Sports Germany), former Bayern midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger backed Goretzka to play an important role for the club later in the season.

"Just keep working hard. The season is long and you need a lot of players at a good level. Leon Goretzka is still a footballer that FC Bayern definitely needs."

- Bastian Schweinsteiger

Vincent Kompany believes Goretzka is a key player for Bayern, but there is significant competition in the midfield department. Unless there is an injury crisis or drop in form for several midfielders, Goretzka will struggle to start in the center of the park for Bayern this season.

Hamann backs Goretzka to play in unusual position at Bayern

With intense competition in the midfield positions, former Bayern midfielder Dietmar Hamann believes Goretzka can play in the right-back position for Kompany. While talking to Sky Sports Austria (via Bild), Hamann insisted that Goretzka can play in this position since he has already played in defense for Bayern.

The Bavarian club is currently without their two natural right-backs due to injuries. Joshua Kimmich and Konrad Laimer can play in this position, but Kompany seems to prefer them in the midfield right now. Left-footed Raphaël Guerreiro started in this position against Dinamo Zagreb.

Goretzka will have to look for new club in January

As things stand, Goretzka will have to look for a transfer in the winter transfer window. It will be a big surprise if he manages to get adequate game time during the Hinrunde. He needs game time to present himself as an option for the German national team in the midfield department.

Bayern may also sanction a loan exit for Goretzka if the interested club is ready to pay the majority of his salary. Goretzka is a fine midfield player, but he doesn’t fit into Bayern’s plans right now, and the club’s stance is unlikely to change in the coming months.