Here we go…
Former Bayern Munich star Michael Ballack was recently asked about Bayern Munich’s failed pursuits of Florian Wirtz (Liverpool) and Nick Woltemade (Newcastle United).
The 48-year-old did not pull any punches.
“Of course, English clubs pay insane amounts. But even for Wirtz, Bayern were prepared to put together a package worth up to €100 million. And as for Nick Woltemade: That’s a different
case. Bayern has a financial budget. The club has excelled for decades by staying out of debt and growing big. That’s why I understand why Bayern decided not to pay more than €55 million for Woltemade. Because the player wasn’t worth more to them. But fundamentally, I’m concerned about something else,” Ballack told Sport Bild. “Let’s take Wirtz as an example: Does it make sense for him and his development to play in the Bundesliga for Bayern for another two or three years? Of course, he wins championships there.
“But is the Bundesliga still a challenge for him at the highest level? No, because the Bundesliga was overtaken by the Premier League years ago. That’s the reality. That’s why it’s generally no longer as attractive for the absolute top players. That’s why changes are needed.”
Yikes.
Ballack has a point, but maybe did not strike all the right chords in making it. Neither Wirtz, nor Woltemade dominated the Bundesliga, so it is not as if either would have been held back developmentally by staying in Germany. Where Ballack is correct, though, is about the “insane” money available in the Premier League to both players and clubs.
As the years go on, it will not only be more difficult for the Bundesliga to retain its talent, but also compete in the open market on transfers. Ballack is absolutely correct in saying that changes are needed…but, what can be done?
Officials in leagues like the Bundesliga, Serie A, and Ligue1 need to figure that out…and quickly.
Bayern Munich is back in action this week and a tough slate of games lies ahead. Before we tackle all of that, though, there is much to unpack from Germany’s international break and the explosive performance from Uli Hoeneß on SPORT1-Doppelpass over the weekend.
Let’s get into all of that more on this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works Show! This is what we have on tap:
- Let’s talk about the good, the bad, and ugly from Germany’s international break performances vs. Slovakia and Northern Ireland.
- Julian Nagelsmann is in a make-or-break period with Germany.
- Does the DFB need to think about bringing in Jürgen Klopp to overhaul the entire organization.
- Uli Hoeneß says Bayern Munich was the real winner of the transfer window and that Nicolas Jackson needs to get 40 starts for the obligation to buy clause to activate.
- Chuck quickly addresses Philadelphia’s return to the spotlight (for all of the wrong reasons).
- It’s time to turn focus back to Bayern Munich.
