Bayern Munich’s midfield has undergone a lot of upheaval in recent years, as the likes of Leon Goretzka, Marcel Sabitzer, João Palhinha, Joshua Kimmich, Aleksandar Pavlović, and Tom Bischof have competed for game time. However, only the latter three remain and, for the first time in years, it looks as if there is a settled core of midfielders the club wishes to build on.
However, there is a slight “complication.” Joshua Kimmich may be the undisputed starter in midfield, but there is one spot open
next to him for the young duo Pavlović and Bischof. Therefore, many have compared the two against each other in an attempt to see who should come out on top. This thought experiment reached Bayern’s sporting director, Christoph Freund, who was only too happy at the idea of the two competing against each other.
“Pavlo has been playing very well for the second or third season now, but Tom is a German international and on a really good path. They’ll certainly push each other hard,” Freund said, as captured by @iMiaSanMia. “Tom will get plenty of minutes and is an important player for us. We’re happy to have a player of his quality. We have three holding midfielders for two positions. With Bara Ndiaye, we also have a young player. We absolutely need this quality in that position.”
At this point in the season, Pavlović has played more minutes and indeed seems to have his nose in front. It makes sense, too, given the 22-year-old is now starting his fourth season at Bayern. He is a fairly experienced player. But the season is long, so who knows how the constellation in midfield will look like in a year’s time.
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