3 Bayern Munich Players Who Are Fighting for Their Futures in 2015/16

Bayern Munich have a truly humungous squad. Unlike any other in Germany and akin to few across the world, the Bavarian giants have multiple options for every position.

The German champions may not spend quite as much money as Manchester City, Real Madrid or Barcelona, but the backroom staff and board at the Allianz Arena have done remarkably well to amass a truly impressive and formidable squad. 

Yet the notable downside to having so many options is quite simply having too many players sitting on the bench, struggling to get in to the side. 

Here are three players who are fighting for their spot in the side and their very future at the club in this coming season.

Mario Gotze

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We kick things off with arguably the biggest problem to continually bother Pep Guardiola over the course of his Bayern reign: What is wrong with Mario Gotze?

Not only has the attacking midfielder come nowhere near the form he once showed for Borussia Dortmund, but his recent performances for Germany suggest that the former starlet is still very much alive within the disgruntled substitution that often haunts the Allianz Arena sideline. 

With the arrival of attacking talents like Arturo Vidal, Douglas Costa and Thiago Alcantara, the 23-year-old German international simply hasn't been given the time or patience to fit in to this side. And unless Guardiola moves clubs, it looks as though they may continue.

Javi Martinez

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Javi Martinez is still contracted to Bayern Munich and does, on occasion, even play for them from time to time. That may seem like a facetious remark, but for many football fans outside of Munich or Germany, there is a genuine wonder as to what has become of the former Athletic Bilbao star.

Unfortunately, injury has gotten the better of the 27-year-old Spanish midfielder over the course of his time in Germany. He may have been a focal point in Jupp Heynckes' Champions League-winning side, but under Guardiola, he's often found himself unfit or simply too injured to hold down a spot in the side. 

The Spanish coach is a big fan of him, hoping to ultimately play him as a central defender, but as things stand, he's behind a considerable line of alternatives in defence and indeed in midfield.

Franck Ribery

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Finally, we come to another star who has been struck down by injury over the years, but in Franck Ribery, we have a player who has undoubtedly proven himself to the Bavarian club over the years. 

Unfortunately, his injuries seem to have become too much of a hinderance to his manager. We saw Guardiola sign Brazilian winger Douglas Costa this summer. 

The former Shakhtar Donetsk player startled and surprised with how quickly he fitted straight in to the side. It's a welcome start for many Bayern fans but one that will undoubtedly keep Ribery out of the starting XI, even when he returns to full fitness. 

There's still plenty left in this Frenchman's engine, but can the 32-year-old genuinely compete with Costa for that left wing? It's not likely.