How Bayern Munich’s defence could look with Kim Min-jae | OneFootball

Bayern Munich announced the signing of Napoli’s Kim Min-jae (26) on Tuesday. With a wealth of experience, here’s how the Rekordmeister’s defence could look with Kim.

Firstly, it’s important to note that although in charge for just 12 games, Thomas Tuchel has started with four-at-the-back in 11 of those. In a 3-1 defeat against Mainz, the former PSG and Chelsea coach opted for a back-three but heading into the 2023/24 season, it’s likely that Tuchel will stick with four.

With the departure of Lucas Hernandez to PSG, that leaves Tuchel with Benjamin Pavard, Dayot Upamecano, Matthijs de Ligt and Kim, whom are all comfortable at centre-back. There’s still a high possibility that Pavard will leave the club this summer with the Frenchman deciding against extending his contract beyond 2024. But that leaves Tuchel with plenty of viable options.

De Ligt was Bayern’s best central-defender and so he’s nailed on to start, but Tuchel has a big call to make between Upamecano and Kim. The former struggled at times last season while Kim excels in decision-making, ability to read the game and is far more physical than Upamecano.

Should Tuchel stick with a back four, expect De Ligt and Kim to be the starting central-defenders with Alphonso Davies and Noussair Mazraoui/Pavard at full-back. The signing of Borussia Dortmund’s Raphaël Guerreiro on a free transfer also provides an option at left-back and in midfield.

Josip Stanišić can also operate on both flanks, and also played a central position in Bayern’s defeat against Mainz when Tuchel opted for a back three. Tarek Buchmann (18) has also been promoted to the first team after signing his first professional contract but he could yet be sent out on loan.

The addition of Kim makes Bayern, who had the joint-best defence in the Bundesliga last season, even stronger in defence. At €50m, Kim is an excellent coup for the Rekordmeister, who beat Manchester United to the signing of the South Korean.

GGFN | Daniel Pinder