Bundesliga Preview – Top 5
Whilst the transfer market is going into a very crazy time before the leagues start again, Bundesliga seems quiet and calm. But there are a few very interesting key movements, that might influence a lot of domino effects. Not on the same scale as in Premier League or La Liga though.
Maybe the strength of Bundesliga in the next season will be based on home grown talents that have more time to develop and internal solutions lead to more sustainable success. Lets have a look at the Top 5!
Top Signing:
Leroy Sane
He will make sure that Bayern Munich’s left side is most probably the strongest in Europe. With Davies, Coman and now Sane there is talent, insane speed and skill all over the place.
Rumour Mill:
Much more interesting will be in the next few weeks what will happen with Thiago and Coutinho. Right now it is general consensus that both will leave (Coutinho back to Barcelona, Thiago for 50M+ to Liverpool). As seen during the incredible CL season of Bayern, Thiago is a centrepiece of this team that will be missed. However, Bayern is not known for crazy transfer market moves (I’m all-in that Bayern will definitely NOT sign Messi under any circumstances).
There is already a superb internal solution for Thiago, switching to a double-6 with Kimmich and Goretzka. However, if Kimmich moves to this spot permanently, this leaves Pavard as their only RV – which then again makes the move from Mukiele (RB Leipzig) to Bayern at least a possibility. More interesting might be what’s happening in the CF position. Coutinho gone and although Muller had a great season, but I am not sure if this will last.
Top Signing:
Thomas Meunier
With Piszczek leaving, this fills the vacant spot as RV perfectly.
Rumour Mill:
After the gossip around Jadon Sancho has cooled down (he is staying at Dortmund), there isn’t much movement for further signings. With the youngster Reinier (loan from Real), Emre Can (already in Dortmund), the very talented Bellingham (Birmingham City) and a few other youngsters, Favre can so far prepare a very good team for the new season.
The big question for Dortmund is Reus, who had a lot of bad injuries over the last seasons and didn’t play for 7 months. Other players who might leave are Nico Schulz and Mahmoud Dahoud.
Top Signing:
Hee-Chan Hwang
Hwang came from partner club RB Salzburg, where he scored 11 goals and 12 assists. With 3 additional goals in their CL season, he has proven big talent, but of course is not a Timo Werner. He surely wont be the last signing.
Rumour Mill:
There are still a lot of uncertainties at Leipzig. Rumours include their RV Mukiele possibly leaving, a Rashica signing, and Marc Roca signing. It is very difficult to give an outlook on Leipzig at this point, they have proven already that they have a strong side without Werner and Nagelsmann surely is a great manager for young talents and Leipzig has several.
Top Signing:
Valentino Lazaro (loan, Inter)
The former Inter and Newcastle player is coming back to Bundesliga. After a disappointing season with an injury that prevented him from playing many games for Inter, the right winger joins Gladbach. This might be the next big hidden gem found by Gladbach sports manager Eberl, but he will certainly need some time.
Rumour Mill:
The rumour mill is empty. Wolf (Leipzig, promising talent) also joined the team and apart from that, Gladbach already confirmed that their biggest signing will be that they did not loose a single top player. Plea, Thuram, Zakaria, Ginter, Neuhaus and Elvedi all had rumours around them but none left the team.
Given that this team was top of the league for nearly half the season, this might actually be a good foundation to continue establishing themselves in the top 3-4 in the Bundesliga. Whilst some other teams in this area loose key players (Thiago, Havertz, Werner), Gladbach can continue to work with the same team as an established collective (greetings to Leicester).
Top Signing:
none
If Havertz will stay, he will continue to be the top player. Extraordinary player, one of the biggest German talents in a while. But it seems pretty clear that he will leave to Chelsea, joining Timo Werner.
Rumour Mill:
It seems almost certain now that the teams superstar Havertz is leaving Leverkusen in the next few weeks, which will be a big hit for the western german side. Additional rumours popped up around super fast and talented Leon Bailey and also Dragovic.
There are some rumours around Schick (Roma) joining Leverkusen, and even Cavani (without a club after contract at PSG ran out), but nothing so far has reached any substance. The Leverkusen team without Havertz will be a big unknown and this might be a chance for other clubs like Hertha, Wolfsburg or Hoffenheim to reach out to a spot in the top 5.
