How Broken Is Bayern Munich Midfielder Arturo Vidal?

When Bayern Munich sold Bastian Schweinsteiger to Manchester United in July, it divided the German giants’ supporters. Many felt that the central midfielder, who turned 31 a month later, was past his prime and injury-prone. Bayern coach Pep Guardiola even claimed in August (via Sky Sports) that “during the last three years, (Schweinsteiger) was never in good condition.”

Others felt that Schweinsteiger, a native Bavarian and academy graduate, should have been retained. They believed he could still achieve his best form for his beloved club, citing Schweinsteiger’s heroic performance in the 2014 World Cup final.

The debate over the move quickly diminished when Arturo Vidal was signed from Juventus shortly thereafter, and it has since been washed away entirely as Bayern have won every game for about two-and-a-half months.

But even with Bayern in immense form and hammering opponent after opponent, the question bears addressing: Have they managed to offload one injury-prone player for another?

While it's true that Vidal is three years younger than Schweinsteiger and would therefore appear to have a longer shelf life at the highest level, the 28-year-old has often been injured in the last year or so.

Transfermarkt records claim Vidal has missed four games due to injury since the beginning of last season, three from a muscular problem in September, and one due to a knee problem at the end of January.

However, those watching Juventus closely claim that Vidal has had minor but persistent ailments throughout 2015. In Serie A after the new year, he played “only” 1,196 minutes, or 60 percent of those possible. That’s not exactly indicative of a fit player who was only officially injured for one game.

In fact, it’s more reminiscent of Schweinsteiger in the spring of 2012, when he admitted to playing through pain in preparations for the European Championship (via FIFA).

Playing in the Copa America this summer, including 120 minutes in the final, shortened Vidal's recovery time, although the player has managed to play in every Bundesliga game thus far this season.

Yet he has only appeared in one international match for Chile since the start of the new campaign, rather reminiscent of Schweinsteiger at one point going 31 months without representing Germany in an international friendly. And heading into the international break, Vidal had played a combined 54 minutes in Bayern’s last three matches.

Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli revealed to La Tercera (h/t ESPN FC) that Vidal was a doubt for last Thursday’s World Cup qualifier against Brazil, having missed training all week. Vidal ultimately played the full 90 minutes in that game and 65 more against Peru five days later, but his knee problems all the while were well known.

Teammate Gary Medel backed Vidal’s commitment to Chile on Tuesday, telling reporters (via Goal): “Vidal has put his own career at risk for us. Arturo gives everything for his country of birth.”

Medel’s words may be encouraging for Chile supporters but worrisome for Bayern fans who know what can happen when an injury-prone central midfielder also has a big role to play for his country. It still isn’t clear what role Vidal will play for Bayern when they resume their Bundesliga campaign against Werder Bremen on Saturday.

Time will tell whether Vidal will have better luck than Schweinsteiger in recovering from his ailments, but there is already an unsettling precedent in the Germany international, who despite playing very well intermittently, reached his peak at the 2010 World Cup and has never quite recovered that level of form in the years since.

To his benefit, Vidal isn’t needed as much as Schweinsteiger was in this deep Bayern team, and the club can afford to keep him sidelined until he's fit. Chile can’t and won’t, however, and it’s still entirely possible that he’ll try to play through the pain for Bayern in the months and possibly years to come.

If he does, he may follow Schweinsteiger’s path. If he takes his time and allows for a full recovery, though, perhaps he will again reach his very best level.

@Mr_Bundesliga