FC Bayern Munich – comment on the rumors about Kyle Walker and Benjamin Pavard: FCB would be the loser in the exchange

The sparrows are whistling from the rooftops that FC Bayern will sign Kyle Walker from Manchester City – and in return the Skyblues are said to be interested in Benjamin Pavard.

Loud Fabrizio Romano there are even advanced negotiations. The Frenchman had long since submitted his change request, so one might think that the “exchange” is a best-case scenario for the record champions.

But actually they would be the big losers of this deal. Not only are they losing their Swiss army knife, they are also taking a short-term approach with the pending transfer of Walker, instead of being able to look to the long-term future.

FC Bayern Munich: Kyle Walker is not a bad transfer, but …

Yes, almost everything makes sense at first glance: Kyle Walker has been performing at a world-class level at Manchester City for years. He is one of the fastest players in the Premier League and can play a variety of defensive positions and roles reliably – just like Pavard.

In Munich he will probably work on the right side of defence, where, in addition to his tackling skills and technical qualities, he can ensure that the build-up game under Thomas Tuchel gets better. Tactically, he would thus secure the left side, which tends to be more offensive. Just like Pavard.

Maybe even better than Pavard? The fact is that Walker is making the switch at the peak of his career. But that also harbors great dangers.

FC Bayern Munich: The Mané scenario threatens Walker

With Sadio Mané, the Munich team has already experienced how quickly this form curve can point downwards in older players. “He’s in the form of his life. It’s fun to watch him,” said Jürgen Klopp shortly before the transfer. Then came the slump at Bayern.

Walker is already 33 years old. He will probably not get any better, worse at least with a high probability. Even if he can replace Pavard in the short term, it is not a medium or long-term solution – and thus fits in with FC Bayern’s current transfer strategy, which is more designed for bridging.

Since Hasan Salihamidzic was dismissed as sporting director, it has been a matter of preparing the squad for the coming season in the best possible way. If you look at the Champions League winners in recent years, however, it quickly becomes clear that the axis of these teams consisted mainly of players who came in at a young age and were then able to develop.

Bayern, on the other hand, are currently trying to put as many plasters as possible on deep wounds that could come to light again next summer at the latest. That can work, but the procedure does not show great creativity. Especially since most of the other transfers and rumors indicate that Munich is again threatened with a year of transition.

FC Bayern Munich: Benjamin Pavard is still underestimated

At Pavard, Bayern know what they have and would get. The Frenchman is the Swiss army knife for many game situations, has been performing at a high level for years – which is still underestimated. The 27-year-old is about to reach the peak of his performance, knows the team and has always been an underestimated constant with the record champions. Unlike Walker, he’s even more likely to get better than worse.

In Munich one should ask oneself why it was not possible to extend with him. The desire to be used as a central defender is said to have played a primary role. Thomas Tuchel, who often played with a back three in the past, could certainly have offered him a compromise solution here – depending on the opponent and his own system. Even at Manchester City, Pavard will hardly be able to avoid being used on the right defensive side.

Wasn’t he given enough respect? Do you underestimate the importance that Pavard has had in recent years? All just speculative. But while Manchester City would get a player who would be able to play reliably at a high level for several years to come, with Walker Bayern might get a bigger piñata than one would currently expect.

The future will tell if that’s really the case. The possibility of signing the next player who is on the decline in a timely manner is definitely there – quite apart from the overall picture that Munich is currently giving on the transfer market.

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