Bayern Munich have had major difficulties in the defensive department this season. The team has conceded as many as 26 league goals so far this term, significantly more than other title challengers like Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig.
It doesn’t bode well for a club, who are expected to undergo a major overhaul in the defensive unit in the summer, especially with players like David Alaba and Javi Martinez likely to leave Allianz Arena. In this article, we will take a closer at why the Bavarians must take a more passive approach and keep hold of one of their ageing defenders in Jerome Boateng at all costs in the upcoming season.
Jerome Boateng: An Indispensable Figure In Bayern Munich Defence
At the age of 32, Jerome Boateng has shown signs of weaknesses one can usually associate with a player in the final phase of his career. His ability to produce diagonal long passes that were prevalent under Pep Guardiola has dissipated significantly. In addition, he lacks pace when compared to most of his defensive teammates.
Yet, Boateng has continued to play a key role in the Bayern Munich backline. He has become a first-team regular alongside David Alaba at the heart of Hansi Flick’s four-man backline, keeping Niklas Sule on the bench. His experience and leadership skills have indeed been key in helping FC Bayern thrive in the Bundesliga once again.
Although the Bavarians have fared considerably poorly in the defensive unit this season, Boateng certainly deserves praise for his composure and solidity. The German has appeared sloppy during the first phase of games, but that has been rectified in recent weeks as well, with the former Man City defender notably starring in the recent win over TSG Hoffenheim.
Why Bayern Munich Should Keep Hold Of Boateng
Bayern Munich could be in a for a difficult summer transfer window, especially in the defensive unit. Star player David Alaba is destined to leave Allianz Arena after failing to agree on a new contract in Bavaria. In addition, Javi Martinez should also leave the club, with his contract expiring at the end of the season.
Their collective departure from the club could leave Bayern very shallow in the defensive unit, with Niklas Sule being the only reliable long-term option. Flick does have the option of deploying Lucas Hernandez, but the Frenchman can be very inconsistent and is also quite injury-prone.
Bayern Munich could also find it very difficult to find a proper replacement for Alaba in the market, considering the competition surrounding the likes of Dayot Upamecano. Hence, the club need to keep hold of Boateng for at least another year and avoid taking any risks, especially at a time where the likes of RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund are well-capable of breaking their hegemony over German football.
