Kingsley Coman Emerges as Arjen Robben's Heir Apparent at Bayern Munich

Since his signing from Real Madrid in 2009, Arjen Robben has been a name synonymous with Bayern Munich's success. Although Franck Ribery may have come closer to the 2013 Ballon d'Or and has been at the club longer, the Dutchman's performance has been a key indicator of the club's success.

He carried the team to the 2010 Champions League final and was directly involved in both goals in the 2013 final. And when he was off form in the spring of 2012, Bayern were runners-up in three competitions.

But now Robben's years are becoming a concern. The mercurial winger will turn 32 years of age the day after the second half of the season begins for Bayern, and the club need a player to share his minutes and eventually replace him when his level drops. It's a concern especially given that age took its toll in terms of Ribery's fitness last season, and for several months Bayern had to manage without a proper replacement.

Summer signing Douglas Costa has since taken like a fish to water and made Ribery look a thing of the past. But there is another player who unexpectedly is making waves, one who just might be the man to replace Robben when the time comes: Kingsley Coman.

The 19-year-old Coman made a splash earlier in the season, to the point that Pep Guardiola has often preferred a five-man attack at the expense of a holding midfielder. That was the case on Tuesday as the Frenchman lined up against Olympiakos with Costa, Robben, Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller in attack. Robben was forced off early with an injury, but Coman had already recorded an assist by that time. He later headed in Bayern's fourth.

On Saturday, Bayern faced high-flying Hertha BSC without Robben or Costa in the squad, and Coman again started. Shortly before half-time, the youngster raced behind the Hertha defense to poke home Javi Martinez's clever pass, doubling Bayern's lead and putting the result to rest early.

Saturday wasn't Coman's best performance in a Bayern shirt, but it was his second goal in as many games. It came in the absence of Robben and with Lewandowski and Costa unable to make a mark on the scoreline. With each passing game, it's becoming more and more apparent that the youngster, despite his years, has a huge future ahead of him.

Already, he's recorded four goals and seven assists in 1,014 minutes played in all competitions, per Transfermarkt. Coman has played on either wing and even as a secondary striker, yet he consistently manages to make a telling impact on the game. He's proficient with both feet, has excellent instincts for where to be and his pace is exceptional. 

Although Coman is now only on loan from Juventus, Bayern did well to ensure they will have an option to buy him at the end of his term at the Allianz Arena in 2017. The club confirmed as much via their website in the announcement of his signing, with Football Italia citing reports from Gazzetta dello Sport and Sky that claim the option will cost €20 million after a loan fee in the region of €7-8 million.

In 2017, Coman will be 21 years of age and likely still on the rise. If they can land a real superstar on a long-term contract for less than €30 million when all is said and done, it's outstanding business. The very fact alone that they signed Robben for €25 million in a much less inflated market is further evidence that negotiations for Coman may well be remembered as truly magnificent.

For now, Robben is still a useful player and not exactly ready to hang up his boots, and Coman has much to prove if he is to become the Champions League winner and World Cup finalist that his team-mate is. But the 19-year-old has made tremendous progress in his first few months in Munich and looks to be a bright star in the making. For all the talk of Costa replacing Ribery, it looks like Bayern over the summer also managed to tackle the issue of finding Robben's eventual replacement with an astute signing in Coman.

@Mr_Bundesliga