Is Thomas Muller Destined To Be Bayern Munich's No. 10?

A Bayern supporter who believes in what Uli Hoeness has to say is a rather optimistic one.

Toni Kroos lit up Bayern under Ottmar Hitzfeld. The teenager was supposed to be the "next big thing" in German football. Uli Hoeness had reserved the No. 10 jersey for the prodigy.

It's only been about two years or so since Uli Hoeness made his rather philosophical statement. The sacred jersey has instead been handed to Arjen Robben, who is neither a Bavarian lad nor a Bayern youth product.

Louis Van Gaal has his downsides but on the upside, he likes developing young, raw talent. He brought Thomas Muller into the team this year as a permanent squad player alongside Holger Badstuber. From a squad player, within a matter of days, Muller became a regular starter.

He is very enthusiastic and very hot-tempered; he is the kind of player you want in your team. He can play as a midfielder as well as a striker—much like Toni Kroos. At 6'1", he shows amazing control when on the ball.

At 20 years of age, Thomas Muller is one of the few bright sparks in Bayern's dismal season. He already has five goals to his name this season. He is very versatile—he can create chances as well as get on the end of them.

He has been at Bayern since he was 10. He scored 16 times in 35 appearances for Bayern Munich II and eight times in 23 appearances for the first team. 

Out of those 23 appearances, 18 appearances have come this season and he has struck seven of his eight goals this season.

However, in Bayern Munich things do not work as they do in other clubs. Had Louis van Gaal not been the coach, Thomas Muller might have been out on loan at some club.

Things didn't work out for Piotr Trochowski, Zvejdan Misimovic and more recently, Lukas Podolski at Bayern. Trochowski and Misimovic had both been part of the FCB youth academy.

Thomas Muller could be the player who breaks this trend of Bayern players who were destined for big things but never quite made it at Der Club. Misimovic and Trochowksi are big players for Wolfsburg and HSV respectively but not at their childhood club.

What of Toni Kroos then?

He is currently at loan at Leverkusen and might choose to stay there. I am sure Bayer would love to keep him.

Thomas Muller is currently looking to be the player Bayern can increasingly count on in the future.

Let's just hope he makes it.