How does Bayern Munich replace Leon Goretzka? The 31-year-old has officially declared that he will not be renewing his expiring contract at Bayern Munich, meaning he will leave Munich after the 2025/26 season. This will open up a big hole in the team. Given the sextuple winner has appeared in over 450 competitive matches over his eight years at the club and earned himself a position as leader in the dressing room, Bayern will be losing an important player and figure in the team. So what steps will Bayern take
to replace their #8 and all the skills he brings with him?
According to Sport Bild, as captured by @iMiaSanMia, Die Rekordmeister do not plan to do much to replace Goretzka. Instead, they believe they have done what they needed last summer…unless a certain midfielder becomes available:
Bayern are currently not planning a new signing in midfield. Tom Bischof is to be given a bigger role in the position next season. However, the club has made an exception in [Hertha Berlin midfielder] Kennet Eichhorn, as he’s considered a big talent for the future to be secured.
BFW Analysis
Bischof has had a fairly impressive debut season at Bayern, accruing 30 total appearances across all competitions at the time of writing and doing well despite playing out of position a lot. This follows his incredibly impressive season in the first team at TSG Hoffenheim in the 2024/25 season, in which the 19-year-old developed into one of their best players over the course of one season and played a leading role in helping the club escape relegation from the Bundesliga. Though he has not demonstrated his many qualities much in midfield at Bayern, Bischof seems to be as safe a bet as can be as a replacement for Goretzka.
Eichhorn, meanwhile, is an interesting case. The 16-year-old has taken the 2. Bundesliga by storm, breaking records, winning a regular starting spot and standing out as one of the best players in one of the qualitatively best squads in the division. The German has few peers for his accomplishments at such a young age. No wonder Bayern really want him. The question will be if Eichhorn will look at the role Bischof has had to play at Bayern this season and if he believes that role is the best way for him to develop as a player.
