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Bayern Munich continue to be a model of consistency, and are on course to win a record-extending tenth consecutive Bundesliga title.
The 2020 Champions League winners remain a force to be reckoned with in Europe too. Drawn against RB Salzburg in this year's Round of 16, the Bavarians are favourites to proceed to the quarter-finals for the ninth time in the last ten seasons.
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Bayern Munich are still reliant on their veteran core
Predicting what Bayern Munich's squad could look like in a few years is not easy. Manuel Neuer, Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller are still performing at an elite level, and are among the club's most important players. However, the trio are all past the age of 30, which means it is only natural Bayern Munich will have to start planning for the future.
The Bavarians also have a well-documented history of raiding their Bundesliga rivals for established players who are in their prime. Although the poaching of talent raises questions about domestic parity and competitiveness, such acquisitions allow Bayern to remain consistent in the Champions League. The most recent example of that is their signing of 27-year-old Marcel Sabitzer for £14 million from RB Leipzig earlier this year.
Nonetheless, German football is famous for its ability to produce elite talent, and Bayern Munich's player development is no different. On that note, here's a look at five players who could play kry roles for the Bavarian giants in the future:
#5 Dayot Upamecano
Bayern Munich needed defensive reinforcements coming into the 2021-22 season. The Bavarians had lost Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels and Javi Martinez over the last few years.
They addressed the issue in the best possible manner by signing Dayot Upamecano from rivals RB Leipzig in a £38 million deal.
The 23-year-old centre-back joined Nagelsmann's team having already played over 175 games for Leipzig and Salzburg. The French international is known for his ball-playing ability, and has flourished since his arrival in Munich. He has four assists in 15 Bundesliga appearances for the German giants.
Tall and quick, the defender is expected to be the cornerstone of the Bayern Munich defence for the next decade.
#4 Tanguy Nianzou
Bayern Munich pulled off a coup when they signed talented French defender Tanguy Nianzou ahead of the 2020-21 season.
The 19-year-old made his name at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), where he was touted as a potential successor to Thiago Silva. Instead, the centre-back opted against signing a new contract in Paris, and joined the German giants instead.
Nianzou is enjoying a breakout season under Julian Nagelsmann, and has already made nine league appearances and three Champions League games.
Although Bayern are reportedly looking to sign a new centre-back, time is on Nianzou's side. He can be expected to be seen in a Bayern Munich jersey more often as the season progresses.
#3 Leroy Sane
No Bayern Munich star divides opinion quite like Leroy Sane. The 25-year-old winger remains a frustrating figure, with his pace and skill blighted by inconsistent decision-making and penchant to drift out of games.
The former Manchester City winger, who usually played on the left for the Sky Blues, has been used more on the right by Bayern and Germany of late. Signed in the summer of 2020 for £55 million, Sane has made 70 appearances for Bayern Munich, scoring 21 goals and providing 23 assists.
He also has 40 Germany caps to his name, and has netted 11 times for the national side.
For a player who is entering his peak, more is expected of Leroy Sane. After scoring ten goals and assisting 12 in his debut season for Bayern Munich, the winger is on track to improve his numbers this campaign.
However, he is yet to reach the heights he reached with Manchester City, where he recorded double-digit league goals and assist tallies in consecutive seasons (2017-18, 2018-19).
Recent reports suggest Kingsley Coman's time in Germany could be coming to an end. Perhaps the Frenchman's exit could give Sane the spark he needs to take his game to the next level.
#2 Jamal Musiala
Bayern Munich's teenage midfielder Jamal Musiala is arguably the best 18-year-old in the game right now.
He has s already made 61 appearances for the German giants, scoring 13 goals and providing six assists. Musiala was also part of Germany's Euro 2020 squad. He has earned nine caps in international football, and has also opened his account for his national team.
Incredibly versatile, Musiala can play anywhere in midfield, and has been used by Germany as a winger. Terrific with the ball at his feet, the teenager can also dribble well, which is one of his strongest assets.
Musiala, whose pace and directness can he a handful deal with, has also added the end product to his game. He has six goals and assists apiece, midway through the 2021-22 season.
#1 Alphonso Davies
With over 100 appearances for Bayern Munich, Alphonso Davies has been around for so long, it's easy to forget he's still only 21. The wing-back is one of the quickest players in the world and a nightmare for opposition teams at both ends of the pitch.
His record with Canada is mightily impressive too. Davies has ten goals in thirty appearances for his country, and is on course to lead them to the FIFA World Cup for only the second time in their history.
Blessed with enormous pace and stamina, Davies bombs up and down Bayern's left wing at will. A solid defender, he also has the ability to beat his man with ease and fizz dangerous low crosses into the box.
Davies has six assists in 23 games this season, and is already a veteran in the Bayern Munich defence.
