Munich – Dortmund’s competition has already made the leap in quality and has signed three German internationals with Niklas Süle, Nico Schlotterbeck and Karim Adeyemi. Now FC Bayern are following suit and already have their first perfect new signing.
Noussair Mazraoui will arrive on a free transfer from Ajax Amsterdam next season and will work on the right wing in the future. The Moroccan confirmed this, as did the sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic. Only the final details need to be clarified, so the transfer is a formality.
With the transfer of Mazraoui: Bayern ends years of construction work
“He is the kind of player that all of Europe were looking for. We are very happy that he has decided to stay with us for the next few years. He is a player who will help us and strengthen our team,” enthuses Salihamidzic “Mercury” since his last engagement.
With the transfer of Mazraoui, Bayern closes one of the largest construction sites in recent years. Since Joshua Kimmich’s move to midfield in the summer of 2019, Bayern have not had a top position as a right-back. At the time, Benjamin Pavard, who had become world champion in that position a year earlier, was busy.
FC Bayern: Benjamin Pavard was a permanent fallback on the right back
The Frenchman is a trained central defender. He lacks the rhythm, technique and playing strength to fill the position of full-back at the highest European level. Pavard himself has never made any secret of the fact that he sees himself in the center of defense and has already publicly flirted with a transfer multiple times. Mazraoui’s signing ended the long-term emergency solution with Pavard on right-back, with him slated to serve as a central defense in the future.
It is not yet clear if he will actually play there. Mazraoui is now expected to take the regular right-back position, which the Frenchman has filled since his engagement three years ago. With Dayot Upamecano, who was transferred from Leipzig as king last summer, and Lucas Hernández, 80 million men, the competition in the center of defense is fierce. Manager Julian Nagelsmann would also like to have another center-back in the squad after Niklas Süle left Borussia Dortmund.
Mazraoui’s signing will also influence the tactics
Mazraoui’s signing will not only be felt in defense, but the game’s stats will also change dramatically. The 24-year-old is a completely different type of player to Pavard and impresses with his speed, good technique and playing strength. Compared to the Frenchman, he has significantly more offensive drive and is more involved in the offensive game.
A counterpart to Alphonso Davies on the left, one might say. It is therefore highly likely that the previous hybrid system will be phased out in the new season.
After Mazraoui’s move: here’s how FC Bayern’s tactics will change
hybrid system? It sounds very technocratic, but it’s easy to explain: under Nagelsmann, Bayern have often played with and against the ball in different defensive systems. With a nominal four defender, Davies always went on the offensive, while Pavard often fell behind and formed a three defender with the two center backs.
Yes, you can finally congratulate me. It’s over!
The new Mazraoui signing on his move to Bayern
With Mazraoui in the squad, not only the left-back but the right-back will be involved in the attacking match in the future. It is entirely possible that Nagelsmann will switch to a five-way system more often from now on to ensure stability with three clear center backs and at the same time lighten offensive full-backs Davies and Mazraoui in defensive work.
Mazraoui enthusiastic about Bayern’s move: “Done!”
Fans can look forward to a strong attacking full-back who has also received excellent technical and tactical training from the famed Ajax Academy. And one who obviously identifies a lot with Bayern.
Mazraoui is looking forward, as he has already indicated. “Yes, you can finally congratulate me. It’s done! I waited until we secured the Scudetto to announce it. After Ajax, Bayern are the club of my dreams,” said the 24-year-old enthusiastically on Wednesday evening at the ‘ “ESPN”. .
