Demichellis was always going to leave, however I'm very dissapointed we only got such a small sum of money from him. Malaga are lucky to have gotten him so cheap. He was always going to leave, he wanted to start and Van Gaal & he always had problems. However it's a step in the right direction as it shows Bayern weeding out the weak links, especially ones that earn 5 to 5.5 million euros per year. Alaba being loaned out is an outstanding move in my opinion, especially as it goes to Hoffenheim. They just sold one of their best players that plays in Alaba's position, which gives him room to play. Also they are a club known to play youth players which gives Alaba another advantage. Just a fantastic move. Gustavo on the other hand I wasn't all for this move, but nonetheless he can be a great signing. The great thing about him is that he can play left-back, center-back and his original position in central midfield. We already have plenty of players who can play in midfield, but him being able to play CB & LB is helpful since our left-backs are Contento whose simply put not good enough to start & Pranjic who at best is a good depth player there (good in attack, average defender). At the heart of the defense, we have Badstuber, Breno, Tymoschuk & Van Buyten. Van Buyten was supposed to join Hamburg but they didn't want to pay his high wage demands, I'm assuming Bayern wants to get rid of him as soon as possible. So assuming he leaves in January, that would have left Bayern with 3 defenders which is simply put unacceptable for a team that fights for more than one trophy. Gustavo being able to play there is a huge plus for depth purposes.
Goodbye and good luck Demichellis
One position rather than player I would have wanted Bayern to go after this winter transfer period is something that I unfortunately hear nothing about.. the right back position to get someone as a back-up for Lahm. He has played over 70 games in a row for Bayern being substituted only once during 70th minute in a Cup match. Simply put, this is disappointing and something Bayern has to fix. Even if it is a player like Gustavo or Pranjic, find someone who can play more than 1 position but make sure he can play right-back. It could be a cheap option, but I have seen Lahm playing this season and he's been very disappointing. He looks like he has ran out of gas and needs more breaks otherwise he would unfortunately crack and break down entirely. The only other position Bayern even needs to address during this time is the wings, to have someone who can play either side if Ribery or Robben get injured.. Kakuta and Shaqiri have been linked here and there, I think Shaqiri in particular can't be any worse than Altintop. Otherwise for this transfer period, I just don't see Bayern in need of signing any other type of player. I can see in the summer a goalkeeper or better said Neuer being in need, a left-back and depending how Breno does for the 2nd half of the season, a defender. Otherwise Bayern is already set in every position.
Our first winter signing, Luiz Gustavo
Now that Alaba & Demichellis have left, the only players I imagine could leave Bayern during this time is Klose, Altintop, Van Buyten (all 3 due to playing time) & potentially even Van Bommel. Klose shouldn't leave until the summer since Olic is injured and our depth will weaken there. We also have no winger other than a converted Muller or Pranjic even though he can only play on the left, so we should keep Altintop until the summer. Then both can leave and we can find better replacements, unless Shaqiri or a player of his type is found to replace Altintop now.. however the problem would lie that they can play in Champions League. Buyten just isn't needed at all anymore, his wages are pretty big and Gustavo has already been brought as back-up there in case of injury emergency. Van Bommel should leave as I doubt he's needed at Bayern anymore, however the only reason I can see this move not happening until the summer could be due to him not wanting to move. Whatever club he will move to, I doubt they will have a bigger chance of winning trophies than Bayern and he's the captain here. However he's been absolutely awful all season and should leave. Bayern has Schweinsteiger, Kroos, Tymoschuk, Gustavo, Pranjic & even Ottl all who can play in central midfield in two positions, simply put there are too many players that can play there and there needs to be room for everyone to play. So in general, I would hope for Braafheid, Van Buyten & Van Bommel to both leave and hopefully we can scrap some money of their transfers while using it to get a cheap back-up for Lahm. It will be interesting (lets hope) what direction Bayern will be going this winter transfer period...
Once again, Happy New Years everyone!
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