Taking a look at the development of Jamal Musiala's game, amid positive contract talks

During media duties after the win over Mainz 05 in the DFB-Pokal, Jamal Musiala gave a pretty upbeat answer when asked about how things are going with regards to his contract extension, saying "Yes, I can already imagine it. We are in talks. I'm happy here," he said to Sky Sport.

With this potential big news, let’s have a look at how his development has come along recently, and how the future may look for him.

Whilst it is inarguable that Musiala has been an elite level player for a number of years now, one of the criticisms of the midfielder was his finishing. Even last season, where he scored ten goals in 1766 Bundesliga minutes – he also had ten big chances missed.

His goal record has always been fairly good, particularly for his age, but his finishing has sometimes left something to be desired, especially in the box. It was actually the harder chances he needed to improve on, scoring scrappy goals.

For example – at home to Darmstadt last season, he fired in an indirect free-kick from the edge of the box. Seven days later, away to Dortmund, he failed to score a clean through one-on-one.

Jamal Musiala taking big strides under Vincent Kompany

It seems like it has something he has already worked on under Vincent Kompany. Against Wolfsburg, he tapped home a cross from Sacha Boey. He did the same against Werder Bremen, when assisted by Michael Olise.

Against Bochum, he put his head in a dangerous area to glance home a Joshua Kimmich free-kick. In the game at Mainz, he scored a header from very close range, whilst also tapping home a loose ball from a yard out. Even his first goal came from running in behind, something he could also do more often.

This time last week, Musiala had two headed goals in his career. Today, he has four. He has doubled his career tally in the space of four days. There is no doubt that this is something that is being worked on.

Whilst we all see Musiala for what he is – an agile, skilful, creative, off the cuff attacking midfielder – he is also 6’1. That’s why he’s called bambi – for being able to dribble so well at that height. His stature can go under the radar, but at that height, there is no doubt at all that he could score more headers. He is only one inch shorter than Harry Kane.