For top strikers Harry Kane, FC Bayern’s squad feels too thin. Christoph Freund also sees room for improvement, but the squad shouldn’t be too big either. Uli Hoeneß meanwhile ensures guesswork with his transfer strategy.
With the Supercup brought FC Bayern the first trophy of the 2025/26 season. Now a good start to the Bundesliga season is to follow on Friday.
Harry Kane criticizes squad size from FC Bayern
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The basis for a successful season will be a good team structure. But striker Harry Kane is not yet 100 percent convinced that everything fits there. The FC Bayern squad is not yet sufficient for the Bundesliga goalkeeper king.
“It is probably one of the smallest squads I have ever played in,” said Kane, who has been gaining experience as a professional experience for 14 years, before the start (Friday, from 8.30 p.m. Live on the RadioPeportage at BR24 Sport) against RB Leipzig. The 32-year-old added the German record champions “a bit thinly set up when we are honest. But as a player we as a player cannot influence it.”
Still open places on the offensive and defensive
On the offensive, positions could still be filled after the departures of Kingsley Coman, Leroy Sané, Mathys Tel and Bayern veteran Thomas Müller. With Luis Díaz, a top-class attacker has so far been successful for the tasks in the Bayern storm.
And this is how sports director Christoph Freund can imagine further newcomers: Among other things, you have “a lot of quality” on the offensive with the transfer of Díaz, says friend: “But of course we are not so big in terms of quantity”.
There is no reliable Kane back-up
After the negotiations with VfB to the transfer of Nick Woltemade, which could play on the nine (as a Harry-Kane-Backup), but also on the Thomas Müller position, has not yet led to the desired result, the Munich hope of Christopher Nkunku from FC Chelsea still hopes.
Nkunku could occupy both the central storm tip and the role of the creative playmaker and the wing positions. In any case, sports director Max Eberl is said to be convinced of the versatility of the 27-year-old and wants to continue the negotiations. However, these are becoming increasingly difficult due to the recently collected cancellations, since the emitted clubs know the “need” of Bayern.
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer sees the personnel position still relaxed and optimistic. He “has the feeling that something else happens. But as I say every summer: we trust our person responsible who do their homework.”
Friend: “Quality very, very high”
After all, two regulars will return with the currently injured stars Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies. Aleksandar Pavlovic also trained with the team two and a half weeks after his eye-catch surgery at the start of the week.
Because of the expected comebacks, according to Freund, “the squad should not be too big. From this it is important to find a good mix.” In addition, friend emphasized that the quality is already “very, very high. We are very well positioned.”
Ex-Bayern star Lothar Matthäus also sees the Munich-based company prepared thanks to young talents. Striker Lennart Karl recently enchanted the fans in the test games With dream goals and wild dribbling. Also The highly talented Paul Wanner Could bring in his potential on the offensive.
But Vincent Kompany has to bravely use the youngsters in his second season as the chief coach of the record champion in the competitive games so that they and talents like Jonah Kusi-Asare (18) can collect game practice. FC Barcelona could be a model. There, the former FCB coach Hansi Flick has started one of the youngest teams in Europe in the past season. The success confirmed his approach. In addition to the double, the Spaniards played in the Champions League to the semi -finals.
Can Tah also organize the defense against Munich?
While the offensive around Kane with a fit Musiala should not be really weaker, the defense remains the problem child of FC Bayern. Last season, the Munich team was susceptible to counterattacks and were not stable enough on the defensive.
Defense chief Dayot Upamecano and Min-Jae Kim-who continues to be one of the sales candidates-were not always able to convince internationally. After the violation of Hiroki Ito and the farewell to Eric dier (as Monaco), newcomer Jonathan Tah still needs active support to secure the title destinations in the Bundesliga, DFB Cup and Champions League this year.
Konrad Laimer had recently bought, but with the selling candidates Raphael Guerreiro and Sacha Boey, you only move at the outdoor positions at average.
Hoeneß pleads “very” for loan players and ensures guesswork
From Uli Hoeneß’s point of view, there will be no further commitment at Bayern Munich this summer. “I would very much advocate filling the squad with a loan player who will be contracted until June 30, 2026,” said the honorary president of the German football record champions of the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”.
According to the “SZ”, this announcement caused irritation among those responsible for athletes on Säbener Straße. With 70 million euros for Luis Díaz, the German record champion in Liverpool had already made a very expensive purchase. Due to the paths of Müller, Sané and Coman and the associated salary savings plus transfer proceeds, Bayern seemed to be more fluid again for further deals.
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Source: BR24Sport on radio 19.08.2025 – 1:54 p.m.
Here’s an analysis of the provided text, focusing on the football (soccer) context and the key details:
Overall Summary
The article discusses the squad depth situation at FC Bayern Munich, highlighting concerns from star striker Harry Kane, the viewpoint of sporting director Christoph Freund, and the general sentiment around the team’s readiness for the upcoming Bundesliga season. The article also mentions the recent Supercup win as the first trophy of the 2025/26 season.
Key Points:
Harry Kane’s Concerns: Kane believes the squad is “thinly set up,” which is a potential issue given the demands of the Bundesliga and other competitions. He implies a lack of depth for rotations and handling injuries.
Squad Size and Departures: Kane points out that it is currently one of the smallest squads he has played in which indicates potential issue with the departures of key players and indicates the need for a reliable ‘backup’, especially for Kane.
Positions too be Filled: The article references the need to add players, especially for the offensive positions following departures.
Christoph Freund’s View: Freund acknowledges the need for betterment but acknowledges that the existing squad does not possess the needed quantity.
Search for a Kane Backup: FC Bayern is looking for a reliable back-up for Kane, specifically mentioning the negotiations for Nick Woltemade. The club seems to be hopeful for christopher Nkunku from FC Chelsea. Though, the negotiations are difficult due to the need and the value of the player.
manuel Neuer’s Outlook: The goalkeeper Manuel Neuer remains optimistic about the situation.
Return from Injury: Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies are expected back soon, which would add quality to the squad.
Supercup Win: Bayern Munich has already secured the first trophy of the season, with thier Supercup win.
Specific Information and Observations:
Date: The article references the date of August 20, 2025, 1:23 p.m. (German time).
Competitions: The core focus discusses the Bundesliga.
Key players Mentioned: Harry Kane, Luis Díaz, Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies, Manuel Neuer, nick Woltemade, Christopher Nkunku, Kingsley Coman, Leroy Sané, Mathys Tel, thomas Müller.
People behind the Scenes: Christoph Freund (Sporting Director), Max Eberl (Sporting Director), Uli Hoeneß (mentioned).
* Goal: The team’s goal is to have a accomplished season.
the article provides a look into the current concerns and thoughts surrounding Bayern Munich with its roster composition before the official start of the Bundesliga season.
