Grades for business done by Bayern Munich in summer

Michael Olise (Attacker)- Grade A

With last season’s established wing trio of Leroy Sané, Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry all having suffered from bouts of poor form and injury, Bayern went all in to sign Michael Olise from Crystal Palace in the hopes of reinvigorating the team’s wing play.

Although the season is still young there can be no complaints over how well Olise has integrated himself into the team and his performances on the pitch. The 22-year-old French international was Bayern’s best player on the weekend when Bayern trounced Werder Bremen 5-0.

The left-footed Olise, like Jamal Musiala, is outstanding both as an inverted winger and as a number 10; thereby adding to the flexibility in attack. If Olise can maintain his current form and fitness then his acquisition is also potentially an A+. So far, the €53 million spent to acquire him is justified by his performances on the pitch.

João Palhinha ( Defensive-Midfielder)- Grade A

Since João Palhinha has not cemented a spot in the stating XI during the first month of the season, some may argue that the 29-year-old Portuguese international wasn’t quite what was required. However, judging from last season, based on the regularity with which Bayern showed a disconnect between defense and midfield and the resultant cheap goals conceded, it was clear that Die Roten needed reinforcements not just in defense but also in the midfield. The club chiefs were right to have still pursued Palhinha a year after their initial attempt to acquire him had failed.

With Aleksandar Pavlovic blossoming as a different type of number six to the Portuguese enforcer, Bayern effectively has all bases covered in this particular midfield position. The price tag of €51 million may suggest that Fulham got the better of the deal, but there should be no surprises when Palhinha delivers in the big games for Die Roten later this season.

Shifting our focus now to the departures, the situation, though not bleak, is certainly not as rosy by comparison to that of the acquisitions.