3 Long-Term Replacements for Franck Ribery at Bayern Munich
An unfortunate byproduct of sport is injury. Chronic injury—combined with age—make certain instances more severe than others: FC Bayern Munich have one such case in the form of Franck Ribery.
L'Equipe (h/t Metro's Lee Thomas-Mason) claimed the French winger is considering premature retirement, as recurring and problematic ankle injures have begun to take their toll. ESPN FC reported on 12 June: "Bayern Munich say winger Ribery's ankle injury has failed to respond to conservative treatment and that his right foot has been immobilised."
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Munich bought Ribery from Olympique de Marseille in 2007 for £17 million, per Sky Sports' Tom Adams. Over the past eight seasons, the 32-year-old has made 299 appearances—being directly responsible for 253 goals—in all competitions.
Finding Ribery's level of production would be no simple task, nor cheap, hence Pep Guardiola must carefully scour for candidates to "replace" the former Ballon d'Or finalist (whether for retirement or general attrition).
In searching for Bayern's long-term options, who can play on either wing and provide offensive production, here we suggest three footballers who might fit the bill.
The In-House Option: Mario Gotze
Splitting time between the wing and the "No. 10" role, Mario Gotze can play nearly anywhere in an attacking sense. Just 23, the German international was deployed to the left wing 19 times last season, and were Ribery sidelined or forced to retire, Bayern's in-house option seems ready made.
Gotze has not exactly flourished since his £31.5 million transfer two summers ago, but expecting a 21-year-old to step into the European superpower and boss proceedings was never realistic.
Still maturing and learning his craft, losing the towering presence of Ribery could spark further growth—as giving the attacker a fixed position would do wonders. Last year's World Cup hero, paired with the creative, attacking mind of Guardiola, might have the requisite skill to manufacture what Ribery provides.
The Dortmund Option: Marco Reus
In January, Bayern Munich were thought to have decided Marco Reus was not a target. The German publication Bild (via Daily Mail's Kit Holden) suggested the logic behind Bayern pulling out was they "already had enough attacking players and didn't wish to worsen their relationship with Borussia Dortmund."
Now with Ribery in question, Dortmund out of the Champions League, Jurgen Klopp having left and Reus' former team-mates Gotze and Robert Lewandowski already at the Allianz Arena—might the stars be aligning?
Bayern's only two reservations would be money and Reus' proclivity for the physiotherapist's table; would Munich be willing to risk millions on another injury-prone winger? To replace the Frenchman, it might be worth the gamble.
ESPN FC's Stephan Uersfeld reported Lewandowski has attempted to recruit Reus, and a Ribery retirement—or best case limited role—seems the prefect time for another phone call.
The Rotational Option: Douglas Costa
Arjen Robben, along with Ribery, is not getting any younger, and it seems Douglas Costa has been earmarked as the Dutchman's replacement by Bayern Munch. Daniel Prescott of the Daily Mail noted the German champions are set to announce the Brazilian winger, costing £25 million.
It could be possible, however, Costa is being purchased to take the Frenchman's minutes—not necessarily on the left wing, but in the squad.
Positions in football are generally overstated. In a fluid game, no player stays in one position (save goalkeepers) for a complete 90 minutes, and in Guardiola's system, fluid movement and interchangeability is vital.
Costa has played on both wings in his time at Shakhtar Donetsk and could be a rotational player—simply taking Ribery's squad spot—while another player (e.g. Gotze) is moved to the touchline.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase where not noted.
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