Speaking on Sky Germany, Lothar Matthäus has criticised Bayern Munich’s transfer policy, and in particular the signing of Eric Dier from Tottenham Hotspur.
“They want more depth in their squad so that games like the one against Hoffenheim or now against Bremen don’t happen again,” said Matthäus (h/t: iMiaSanMia). “Bayern need more depth and reinforcements, but are these players reinforcements? Eric Dier wasn’t necessarily a key player at Tottenham recently.
“I remember Uli Hoeness once said that “we won’t be bringing in any more players who are sitting on the bench at other clubs.” The latest transfer looks different.”
Many have questioned the signing of Dier, and Bayern’s pursuit of Newcastle United’s Kieran Trippier (33). Formerly of Bayern, Matthäus praised the youth at the club but further questioned the club’s recruitment policy and not replacing players.
“Bayern Munich have very good youth players and Christoph Freund is responsible for that. He has a good network. In the summer it was said: “We can let Pavard and Stanisic go and get someone else instead.”
“And then they don’t get anyone else. As a result, they got problems at right back and in the centre. They thought, “We’ll manage that.” No, they reacted too late. The team can’t find itself.
“The difference to Leverkusen: Xabi Alonso had his team together from the start in the summer and was able to train what he wanted for six weeks.”
Bayern’s transfer policy further came into question by the fans following their 1-0 defeat against Werder Bremen on Sunday afternoon. Raphaël Guerreiro started alongside Joshua Kimmich in midfield, with Leon Goretzka on the bench. Guerreiro has struggled since joining the club, while both he and Kimmich were substituted against Bremen.
The Rekordmeister’s second league defeat of the season puts them seven points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen with a game in hand. Thomas Tuchel’s side host Union Berlin at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night after the original fixture, scheduled for December, was postponed due to snowfall in Bavaria.
GGFN | Daniel Pinder
