A lot going on at Bayern: Tuchel admits transfer mistakes: “Doesn’t look happy for us”
At the end of the transfer window things are heating up again at FC Bayern. Ryan Gravenberch leaves Thomas Tuchel’s team, the transfer of desired player João Palhinha is decided at the last minute. He later regrets a decision.
FC Bayern Munich’s preparations for the top Bundesliga game against feared opponents Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday are overshadowed by the recent hectic activities on the transfer market.
Tuchel expects a close decision at Palhinha Poker
“We try to complement and strengthen our team. It seems to be a last-minute decision,” said coach Thomas Tuchel on Friday a few hours before the end of the transfer period in Germany on the intended signing of the Portuguese João Palhinha.
The 28-year-old from FC Fulham should become the purely defensive six in the Munich squad desired by Tuchel. More than 50 million euros are said to be due for Palhinha.
At the same time, after the departures of Benjamin Pavard (Inter Milan) and Josip Stanisic (on loan to Leverkusen), the German record champions are still looking for a defensive player who can defend on the right outside and inside. One candidate is said to be Southampton FC international Armel Bella-Kotchap.
Bayern coach criticizes the situation in the right-back position
In retrospect, the Bayern coach sees the departures of Benjamin Pavard and Josip Stanisic critically. “At the moment we made the decision with Stani, there was no offer for Pavard. For us and Stani it was a top solution at the time to loan him out and give him the opportunity to play there. We have come a long way towards Stani. Then the situation at Benji changed 180 degrees, ”Tuchel explains the decision.
“There is now a big gap that we are trying to fill in a very short time. Konrad Laimer can play it flexibly. But at the moment we have less competition in the individual defensive positions than we had last season. That’s not exactly a dream scenario. We’re still trying to change that. If not, then we have to get creative,” the 50-year-old continues.
Tuchel confirms Gravenberch departure
In the press conference for the Gladbach game, Tuchel said goodbye to Dutch international Ryan Gravenberch with warm words. The 21-year-old midfielder is moving to Liverpool FC. The “main problem” in Munich for the player was that there is no offensive eighth position in Bayern’s game system.
“Ryan sees the 4-3-3 in Liverpool as an opportunity to fight for his place,” explained Tuchel. Gravenberch joined from Ajax Amsterdam for 18.5 million euros a year ago and is now set to move to England for more than double the price. Gravenberch is a “nice guy” and a “hardworking, talented player,” said Tuchel. However, he “quarreled” with his unsatisfactory reserve role with the record champions.
More sports news
jpb/with dpa
