When you look back at the history of the Bundesliga, and more notably the Champions League, you'll need to dig incredibly deep to find a duo who have had a greater impact on a club like Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery have had over the past decade.
The wide men have been instrumental for Bayern Munich as they transitioned from one of European football's sleeping giants to arguably the greatest institution – or at least one of the top three – in the continent.
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With 235 goals in 668 games between them, you can easily see the enormity of the job the Bavarian giants have to replace the France and Dutch international.
Carlo Ancelotti already has a number of wide players with Douglas Costa and Kingsley Coman flourishing early, but here at Sportskeeda’s HQ, we believe that these five players could replace the pairing in the long run.
#1 Julian Brandt – Bayer Leverkusen
Brandt became the first teenager to score in six successive games since the days of Gerd Muller. German publication BILD reported last month that the 20-year-old winger had agreed on a deal to join the five-time Champions League winners in 2018. However, his agent has since denied any deal is in place to take the Leverkusen player to the Allianz Arena.
Like Robben and Ribery, Brandt has become one of the more exciting players to watch in the Bundesliga for his directness, pace, eye for a goal, and ability to take a player on in difficult scenarios.
Already a German international, Brandt has the potential to become a world beater under the guidance of one of the world's best coaches.
Munich would be missing a trick if they allowed both Robben and Ribery to depart before signing Brandt as their experience could prove invaluable to the talented forward.
#2 Marco Reus – Borussia Dortmund
Would Bayern Munich’s chief prefer to sign any player other than their rivals’ biggest and most prized asset? Unlikely.
Marco Reus has become the poster boy for Borussia Dortmund following the departures of both Robert Lewandowski and Mario Gotze to Bayern Munich.
Despite his constant injury worries, Reus is undeniably one of the finest players Germany has produced over the past decade. His goalscoring threat is far superior to Ribery and he could offer much more in terms of youthfulness, experience and German identity.
Not only would Reus become a success story in Munich, his signing would further weaken their rivals once more while strengthening Bayern’s own cause. At the age of 28, this may be Reus' final opportunity to not only win the Bundesliga but also finally add a Champions League medal to his collection.
Would Bayern be foolish to turn down the chance of signing one of the finest talents in German football? Only time will tell.
#3 Alexis Sanchez – Arsenal
Chile international Alexis Sanchez looks set to depart Arsenal this summer after the former Barcelona forward refused to sign a new contract presented to him by the club.
With just twelve months left on his current deal, Bayern should present an offer to the 28-year-old forward to convince him to swap England for Germany and Arsenal for Bayern in the next few months.
Sanchez is in the prime of his career and capable of improving this already great Bayern Munich side. The Chilean forward has the determination, goal threat, and work-rate that could see Ribery and/or Robben become a thing of the past with Sanchez capable of guiding Munich to even further success.
Ancelotti would provide stability and ambition to the Chilean forward – something he so desperately craves at the Emirates Stadium.
The difficulty lies in negotiating with Arsenal as the London outfit are reluctant to lose their prized asset to any club. Unlike other clubs, Munich would have an advantage as they are not Arsenal’s direct rivals.
#4 Leroy Sané – Manchester City
Convincing Manchester City to part with Leroy Sané may be easier said than done. The German international made the mega-money move from Schalke 04 in August 2016 and has since become a real star under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola.
Sané took four months to settle into Premier League life and has now become an integral part of Guardiola's plans going forward. Like a young Arjen Robben, Sané is gaining plaudits for his directness, pace and eye for goal.
In fact, he is City's fourth highest goalscorer this season despite only notching his first goal during the side's Premier League victory over Arsenal in December.
An enormous offer could prise the 21-year-old away from Manchester City, and having grown up in Germany, his head may be turned by the opportunity to play for the country’s biggest club.
Sané did turn down Bayern Munich's approaches before opting for a summer switch to the Etihad Stadium but could be lured back to Germany soon enough.
#5 Thomas Lemar – AS Monaco
Likened to Andres Iniesta, Thomas Lemar is slowly garnering a reputation across Europe for being one of the finest attacking young talents.
AS Monaco have built quite the reputation for nurturing young players into future superstars and Lemar is certainly on his way to emulating some of his French heroes.
His future undeniably resides away from the Principality, and where better for him to become a world-class player than at the Allianz Arena?
Lemar can play in a direct wide role, or behind the striker, where he has excelled more regularly against some of the best sides in this season's Champions League.
At the age of 21, he has plenty of time on his side and will eventually become one of France's most talented players. Similar to Franck Ribery, Lemar could move to western Germany and become a huge success story.
