Five Bayern Munich players who have improved under Jupp Heynckes 

#5 Javi Martinez

Heynckes prefers to play Martinez in his natural midfield role (Dec. 19, 2017 - Source: Sebastian Widmann/Bongarts)

Javi Martinez is one of the most versatile players in world football. He started his career as a defensive midfielder at Athletic Bilbao. He then joined Pep Guardiola at Bayern in 2012, becoming the most expensive player in the history of the Bundesliga.

Pep converted Martinez into a defender, a position in which Ancelotti also used him. Heynckes has since moved him back to his natural position, and he has been a revelation since.

He sits in front of the Bayern defense to protect them, something which he does exceptionally well. He averages five defensive actions per ninety minutes under Heynckes and has made 36 interceptions, winning 66% of the aerial duels.

Moving him to midfield was a mastermind move by Heynckes. His performance shows what made Bayern convinced spent a record €40 million to sign him back in 2012.