Bayern Munich's central defensive line may change completely.
Recently, Kim Min-jae's future has been questioned. It has been reported that Bayern is considering the release of 'monster' Kim Min-jae. Florian Plattenberg, a reporter for Germany's Sky Sports, said, `Kim Min-jae is not an impossible player to transfer this summer.' Then 'Bayern does not intend to actively sell Kim Min-jae, but the offer is open' Plattenberg is regarded as a first-tier journalist who is very familiar with the news about Bayern. Kim Min-jae, who was receiving love calls from big clubs in the summer of 2023, was exactly matched to Bayern. This is why the report attracts attention.
The Bayern club is considering Kim Min-jae's transfer because of frequent mistakes. Plattenberg said 'Kim Min-jae is not playing the stable defense that Bayern expected. Kim Min-jae made six mistakes this season that led to his loss, and the most recent was in a der Claziker against Dortmund. In fact, Kim Min-jae ranked first in the error list that led to a loss among center backs in the five major European leagues and the European Champions League. Above Michael Nade of Saint-Etienne, Mohammed Salisu of AS Monaco, and Taylor Harwood-Bellis of Southampton.
Kim Min-jae is on a rollercoaster ride after wearing his Bayern uniform in the summer of 2023. Kim Min-jae, who moved to Bayern under the active courtship of Thomas Tuchel (currently England A national team coach), showed great performance in his first year. However, due to the subsequent overwork, injuries, military training, and participation in the Asian Cup, they did not perform as well as expected. In the second half of the year, he was pushed out of the starting position. Since the appointment of Bang Sang Kompany this season, the atmosphere has changed. He flapped his wings of revival under Kompany, who emphasized aggressive defense. Along with Dayo Upamecano, he established himself as the main player and kept Bayern's center.
But he is shaken by injuries. After the Achilles tendon, I suffered up to my waist. On top of that, Hiroki Ito, Upamecano and Alfonso Davis were injured, and the load was on him. Kim Min-jae, who couldn't rest enough and played too hard, has been repeating his mistakes recently. In the last match against Dortmund and Inter Milan, he provided an excuse for a loss and was intensively saturated by the German media. Even the head of Max Ebbe, who has been surrounding him, is sorry for the frequent mistakes. This is why Bayern is considering releasing Kim Min-jae in just two seasons even though it has poured 50 million euros.
Kim Min-jae, who has continued his successful European career in Turkiye Fenerbahce and Naples, Italy, does not match Bayern. When Kim Min-jae says he will be in the transfer market, he is already shaking. Germany's Sky Sports reported that English Premier League clubs such as Chelsea and Newcastle and Serie A clubs such as Juventus want Kim Min-jae.
It's not just Kim Min-jae. It's his partner Upamecano's future is also uncertain. Sky Sports said `Ufamecano could leave Bayern this summer.' Upamecano is known to have recently been suspended despite considerable negotiations with Bayern on renewing his contract. Upamecano, who currently has an annual salary of between 7 and 8 million euros, wants 15 million euros, including bonuses, in a new contract. Bayern management is said to be reluctant and has not yet approved the contract extension.
Upamecano, a French national centre - back, made his professional debut with Salzburg in 2015. Upamecano, who showed his ability quickly, emerged as a defender the world is paying attention to after joining Leipzig in 2017. Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Real Madrid sent love calls to Upamecano, who showed amazing performances in Leipzig. The final winner was Bayern. Upamecano wore a Bayern jersey for a whopping 42 million euros in the summer of 2021.
There were some ups and downs in Bayern. Played up and down, didn't get much trust. In the first half of the 2022-2023 season, he was praised for his remarkable performance 'As expected', but he was under fire in the European Champions League as he was sluggish. In the 2023-2024 season, injuries and sluggishness overlapped, and he was also shunned by manager Thomas Tuchel.
However, it has rebounded this season. Coach Kompany took over and put on wings. Upamecano, who boasts fast speed and aggressive defense, was appointed. Upamecano has established himself as the main center back along with Kim Min-jae. However, due to the injury suffered in the last A match, he has not been able to play recently.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
