Reschke Is Wrong: Bayern Munich Are Like Chelsea, but That's OK

Last week, Pierre Hojbjerg extended his Bayern Munich contract to 2018 before joining Augsburg on loan. His was the latest in what appears to be a systematic method of the German record champions farming out their underused talents to other Bundesliga clubs while maintaining options for the players to return if they are successful elsewhere.

Last summer, Julian Green joined Hamburg on loan as well. Half a year before, Jan Kirchhoff was loaned to Schalke. Half a year before, Emre Can joined Leverkusen on a full transfer but with a buyback option. The summer before that, Nils Petersen and Mitchell Weiser were loaned to Werder Bremen and Kaiserslautern, respectively.

Yet on Tuesday, Bayern technical director Michael Reschke was quoted by SID (h/t Goal.com's Stefan Coerts) as asserting that systematically sending players to develop at other clubs not part of a grand scheme at Bayern, as he claimed it to be at Chelsea:

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Sending players out on loan is not part of [Bayern's] philosophy. It's a decision we make case by case.

We always make a well-considered decision what's best for a certain young player in his situation. For example, a temporary spell with Augsburg is a great solution for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

But there's no policy or clear philosophy behind it like at Chelsea.

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It may be true that Bayern's methods are not quite as systemic as those of Chelsea, who have in effect reduced the once proud Vitesse to a feeder club, but Reschke's claim is hard to believe in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary: Bayern farm out on average a player every transfer window.

That policy is only likely to continue as Bayern scoop up young talents from around the Bundesliga, such as Sinan Kurt last summer and Joshua Kimmich this year. Unless they somehow manage to displace world-class, established stars, they won't reach their potential in the fourth division with the reserves.

Bayern have received criticism for their policy of signing more talent than they can realistically expect to use, especially when from other Bundesliga clubs where these players have made their way as stars. And perhaps Reschke's comments were made with such criticism in mind. His words read as a deflection of judgment so as to say: "at least we aren't like Chelsea."

The trouble is, taking the "moral high road" is neither viable nor necessary for Bayern. In the not-so-distant past, the club could brag about their homegrown players, financial success and ability to achieve elite status without a "sugar daddy" while denouncing Manchester City and Chelsea for their "artificial" means of procuring success.

But now, Bayern's public relations image has taken a hit among neutrals for their overwhelming domination of the Bundesliga. So thorough is their strangulation of any competition that any claims of higher moral status come across as a cheap PR ploy.

Although perhaps unsavory, Chelsea's methods have been very clear from the time Roman Abramovich took the helm at the club. Bayern are less straightforward if their management think they can project a pristine image while they hold the rest of the Bundesliga by the throat. As mentioned in this article from November, commenting on Karl-Heinz Rummenigge's repeated attempts to polish the club's image, Bayern will never be the "good guys." But that's OK.

The reality is, Bayern are operating well within their rights to farm out young players. If the player and loaning club accept the terms of a deal, it's allowed within current statutes of the game in Germany. And if Bayern see loaning young players as being in their interest, they may do so.

On the other hand, it's perfectly within the rights of others to dislike Bayern's methods. Other Bundesliga clubs may feel their arms are being twisted in negotiations and may resent being "used" to develop players that will be of no use to them long-term.

Neutral fans may scoff at Bayern's hegemony atop the Bundesliga. It's their right to choose what leagues are worth following and what constitutes quality in a competition.

Reschke may truly believe Bayern are more wholesome than Chelsea in caring for their young players, but his denouncement of another club for acting in its perceived self-interest no more than the Bavarians would is hypocritical and smacks of insecurity.

Bayern would be wise to take a look in the mirror, to recognize that times have changed and to embrace what they are: A magnificently well-run machine with a deadly combination of sporting history and success, a devout fan base, brand power and commercial marketability.

Yes, they're ruthless and will come under scrutiny. But that's OK so long as it continues to have nothing to do with their success.

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