"Bayern Munich has been spoiled over the past decade at the number nine position. Between Robert Lewandowski and Harry Kane, a Bayern player has hoisted the Bundesliga Golden Boot eight times since 2016. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang edged out Lewandowski by a single goal in the 2016/17 campaign, then Bayern had a committee approach to scoring goals in 2022/23. Upon Lewandowski's departure in 2022, Bayern pushed Serge Gnabry up top after adding Sadio Mané as an extremely poor transfer decision. On the bright side, that season also introduced 19-year old Jamal Musiala to the starting XI, culminating in Musiala's title-winning goal against Köln."
"All factors considered, highlighted by this graphic from Transfermarkt (via @iMiaSanMia), Bayern's scoring ability peaks when there is a generational talent scoring goals at the striker position. As a top five club in the world, Bayern is constantly rumored to be in the market for the next big thing. It is important to scout future players on a long-term approach, but Bayern has struggled to integrate young backup strikers who could potentially take over the starting role. Nicolas Jackson, Mathys Tel, Malik Tillman, Joshua Zirkzee, and Jann-Fiete Arp have all arrived at Säbener Straße hoping to take up the mantle. All have failed the test."
"The obvious conclusion is that Bayern can only carry a singular world class striker at a time. This player needs to be an experienced, smart, and consistent superstar before they join Bayern. Lewandowski left Borussia Dortmund joined Bayern at the age of 25. Kane's move from his legendary career at Tottenham happened at the age of 30. Both players had five double-digit scoring seasons before Bayern made the acquisition."
Bayern Munich dominated the number nine position for the past decade with Robert Lewandowski, Harry Kane, and occasional winners like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang securing Bundesliga Golden Boots. The post-Lewandowski era saw an experimental approach: Serge Gnabry pushed up top, the ill-fated Sadio Mané signing, and Jamal Musiala's emergence and title-winning goal. Data from Transfermarkt shows scoring peaks when a generational striker leads the line. Multiple young forwards recruited as potential successors—Nicolas Jackson, Mathys Tel, Malik Tillman, Joshua Zirkzee, Jann-Fiete Arp—have not established themselves. Bayern therefore needs proven, experienced, and consistent elite strikers at acquisition time.
Read at Bavarian Football Works
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