When do you make the step to a big team and when do you take a step back to take multiple steps forward? Every young player needs to contend with his questions and Bayern Munich loanee Noël Aséko Nkili is no exception. Billed as one of Germany’s most promising young midfielders at a very young age, it was unsurprising that Bayern came sniffing in 2022, when Nkili was just 16 and at Hertha Berlin. He was getting an opportunity to train with the first team and there were talks that he could make appearances
in the 2. Bundesliga that season. Instead, he accepted Bayern’s offer and played for the U-23s in the Regionalliga. Was that the right choice?
Regardless of the answer, Nkili has now made it to the 2. Bundesliga. Taking a step away from Bayern and on loan to Hannover 96, he is in the process of establishing himself as a key fixture in the high flying team. Nkili knows to value what he has with Die Roten but cannot deny that he has dreams of playing among the best in Europe: “Every footballer naturally dreams of playing in the Bundesliga and Champions League at some point,” Nkili explained to BILD, as captured by @iMiaSanMia, when asked about his future. “I feel very comfortable in Hannover. I’m taking it game by game and week by week. I’m concentrating on the here and now – and right now, I’m here at Hannover 96. If you think too much, it can affect your game.”
When asked about his role model,Nkili’s answer was more straightforward. “N’Golo Kanté. Running, running, running — that’s what I admire.”
That is rather unsurprising. Nkili does show glimpses of the 2018 World Cup winner with his incredible pressing and ground coverage along with a heavily underrated set of technical skills. The loan at Hannover ends in 2026, but they have an option to buy as Bayern have a buy back option, too. Nkili’s future will involve a lot of change in the next years and he will have to see how things pan out.
Bayern Munich has one more weekend of action before another international break, but that does not mean there is a lack of suitable topics to discuss.
Let’s take a look at what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show:
- Champions League Power Rankings — are we ready to place Bayern Munich in the top group? You know it! But…where does the squad stack up against Europe’s other top teams. Let’s discuss.
- German national team coach Julian Nagelsmann has little room for error and must find a way to break from the same bad habits that help fell him at Bayern Munich.
- Listener Q&A — questions on Harry Kane, the inner workings of Bavarian Football Works, and Noël Aséko Nkili;s future.
- Reviewing the latest episode of HBO’s Task.
