FC Bayern Munich: Mid-season player ratings

Frank Ribery: 9

Frank Ribery

Undoubtedly Bayern’s best player as of now, the only reason Ribery doesn’t get a perfect 10 on this scale is because of his leg injury, which saw him start only 13 games in the Bundesliga so far. His fast dribbles, runs both on and off the ball, his ability to dance around the defenders and whip in a cross and the occasional shot make him one of the most crucial elements of Bayern Munich.

Unless Pep Guardiola does something as radical as he had tried in Barcelona, Ribery is going to stay with Bayern and continue ruling the roost for a good few years.

Arjen Robben: 8.5

Also a victim to injuries, the other half of the ‘Robbery’ hasn’t had many games under his belt this season either. His performances in those games were great as always, but if he manages to stay fit, then we might just his ratings shoot back to where they belong: a perfect 10.

Robben and Pep haven’t had any issues yet, and the person who is closest to filling in his boots, Xherdan Shaqiri, is nowhere nearly as good as Robben is. Expect him to keep the ball to himself for a few more years!

Xherdan Shaqiri: 6.5

Shaqiri has hardly featured this season, and he is drowning in the tidal wave of legendary footballers that play in positions similar to him. Guardiola has only fielded him 8 times this season, and he will have to grow some more as a player before he can feature regularly.

Mario Mandzukic: 9

Bayern’s leading goal scorer in all competitions, Mandzukic has been extremely prolific so far, starting 16 games and scoring 10 goals, and the transfer of Robert Lewandowski does raise many eyebrows, given Mandzukic’s form.

What is even more surprising is that Mandzukic isn’t going to be a major part of Guardiola’s Bayern Munich. With Lewa’s arrival, Mandzukic will surely move to sunnier shores, such as Arsenal and Manchester United, and most people would agree that it would be a big loss for Bayern Munich, even if they are getting THE Robert Lewandowski to play instead.