Bayern Munich Already Have Robert Lewandowski's Successor - But Joshua Zirkzee Can't Stay as Back-Up

​Bayern Munich's 6-0 win over TSG Hoffenheim made international headlines, but it wasn't as a result of what was arguably their best performance since Pep Guardiola was their manager.

Leaving protests in the stands aside, it was a win that could prove to be the watershed moment Bayern Munich's hierarchy have been waiting for in their search for Robert Lewandowski's long-term successor.

The Poland international will be out of action for some time. It's been suggested that Lewandowski could return in time for Der Klassiker next month, but in that run he'll miss a total of six games across all competitions - including their Champions League second leg against Chelsea.

Considering Lewandowski has scored 39 goals for Bayern Munich this season - their next top goalscorer, Serge Gnabry, has 18 - the next month should be a testing time in the club's season, but in their 6-0 win over Hoffenheim, the Rekordmeister appeared to stumbled upon an answer.

Teenage forward Joshua Zirkzee has already made an impact this season. 

He scored with his first-ever touch in the Bundesliga with a last-minute winner against Freiburg, becoming the seventh youngest goalscorer in Bayern Munich's, and Zirkzee got on the scoresheet once again in another cameo appearance the following week.

Last time out, the 18-year-old was tasked with filling Lewandowski's shoes against Hoffenheim in his first start for the club. And he didn't disappoint.

Zirkzee got on the scoresheet again, firing in Bayern Munich's third goal of the game with a fantastic combination of strength and composure inside the six-yard box.

It wasn't just his ability in front of goal, however, as he was involved in the club's opening four goals in Sinsheim and showed the same level of link-up play that's become synonymous with Lewandowski's ability on the pitch.

It's no surprise to see Zirkzee picking up a thing or two from his Bayern Munich teammate either.

"I look at [Lewandowski] every workout," Zirkzee told Voetbal International. "For example, his walking actions with crosses. Or how he sinks between the lines. But also his timing, how he shields and passes a ball, and his sprints to the goal are very nice to see."

Albeit in such a short space of time, it's become quite apparent that Zirkzee has what it takes to lead the line for Bayern Munich when Lewandowski eventually does call it a day, while Jann-Fiete Arp and Leon Dajaku will also be fighting for that spot.

But while Arp or Dajaku will have to bide their time as Lewandowski's understudy over the next three years - the Pole has a contract until 2023 - Zirkzee is already knocking on the door for a place in Bayern Munich's first team.

Like Lewandowski, Zirkzee is also tied to the club for another three years, but Europe's biggest clubs will already be sniffing around the 18-year-old and interest could even get more intense after Euro 2020.

Zirkzee has only ever played at Under-19 level for the Netherlands, but a space could open up in Ronald Koeman's squad after Memphis Depay ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament, which should keep him out of action until July.

It's still only an outside chance that he could be Koeman's wildcard, as the striker will still be competing with young stars like Donyell Malen and Myron Boadu, but Zirkzee's stock will only rise if he can squeeze his way into contention.

Zirkzee is the obvious heir to Lewandowski's throne at the Allianz Arena. But the 18-year-old is already performing well above most other players in his age bracket and he won't be content with a part-time role at Bayern Munich for too much longer.

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