Deadline Day is over, the winter transfer window is closed. FC Bayern has improved in three positions. Dier, Boey and Zaragoza are supposed to bridge injury gaps. Will they also strengthen the club in the long term? A forecast.
FC Bayern Munich reacted to injuries and absences from the Asian and African Cups during the winter break. With the Englishman Eric Dier (central defense), the French Sacha Boey (right-back) and the Spaniard Bryan Zaragoza (offensive), players who can and should help the club immediately were signed. But what chances does the trio have in the long term?
Eric Dier – commitment without risk
Minjae Kim in the Asian Cup, Matthijs de Ligt injured too often, and Dayot Upamecano recently – the central defense was one of FC Bayern’s biggest construction sites in the first half of the season.
By signing Eric Dier from Tottenham Hotspur on loan, Bayern chose an intelligent option: The 30-year-old may have already had the best time of his career and was no longer a regular at Tottenham.
He brings with him the experience of over 400 competitive games in Portugal and England as well as 49 games in the English national team. In short: Eric Dier can play without any problems in a Bayern central defense that is not always solid. And he indicated in the first matches that he could even be a reinforcement.
And if it goes wrong? It should be clear to Dier that – if all central defenders are fit – he will be number four at most. The loan ends after the season, FC Bayern could unilaterally extend it – and will take a close look at the development of Harry Kane’s friend Dier. If he is convincing, the people of Munich will be only too happy to keep him for another year.
In the video: Eric Dier after his commitment
Sacha Boey – a new Frenchman for the wing
FC Bayern surprised everyone by signing Frenchman Sacha Boey from Galatasaray Istanbul. The 23-year-old played well in the Champions League duels with Munich and the FCB officials never tire of emphasizing that they had already had Boey on their list. But Boey has not yet proven his international class in the long term.
What is the biggest opportunity for Boey: Things are looking really bleak at FC Bayern in the right-back position. Noussair Mazraoui will soon be returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, but only played there once and has not yet consistently impressed on the right wing for FC Bayern.
The alternative Konrad Laimer is primarily planned for midfield under Tuchel, Bouna Sarr is out injured for a longer period of time, Josip Stanisic is in Leverkusen until the end of the season.
It is therefore quite likely that Boey will be allowed to play in the right-back position at least until the end of the season and that he will also be allowed to make mistakes.
FC Bayern has always had good experiences with players from France on the wings, starting with Bixente Lizarazu and Willy Sagnol and Benjamin Pavard. It is quite possible that Boey will join this list of prominent names.
If the 23-year-old impresses in his appearances in the second half of the season, he is definitely a candidate to permanently solve FC Bayern’s right-back problem.
Bryan Zaragoza – change in the wing positions
With the early signing of the Spaniard Bryan Zaragoza on Deadline Day, FC Bayern Munich scored a real coup shortly before the transfer deadline. The 22-year-old was originally not supposed to come until the new season. But after the injuries to Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman, the Munich team is a bit thin on the wings.
The early transfer is also a signal with a view to the next few years: Even if the wingers are still in their prime (Gnabry 28, Sané 28, Coman 27), FC Bayern is providing a breath of fresh air, more competition and is thus forcing the change on the offensive.
The message to the established players when contracts are partially expiring is clear: FC Bayern is creating room for maneuver and contract extensions will not be possible in the coming years at any price.
With Jamal Musiala (20 years old) and Mathys Tel (18), two more talents are ready to drive the change forward, with Zaragoza coming the next super talent. Even if he has to prove himself in the Bundesliga first – FC Bayern will give him the time, Zaragoza can become a central building block in the offensive for years to come.
Source: BR24Sport February 1, 2024 – 6:55 p.m