7 Bayern Munich Youngsters Who Could Make Their First Team Breakthrough in 2018/19
By Ben Carter
Bayern Munich have their sights firmly set on winning an eighth straight Bundesliga title this season, and although the club will have to adapt to new manager Niko Kovač, the Bavarians' closest rivals still seem far away from offering a genuine title challenge.
With the league usually wrapped up a few months early, allowing Bayern to focus on their chances in the Champions League, a number of young players often get drafted in to get some first team experience.
And this season could see a new batch of youngsters make a big impact on the club, as opposed to just making the odd cameo appearance in April.
So with that in mind, here are seven players who could really make a name for themselves at the Allianz Arena during the 2018/19 campaign.
7. Joshua Zirkzee
Cast your mind back to last summer and the name Joshua Zirkzee might just mean something to you transfer gurus. The biggest clubs in Europe were fighting with each other to sign the young forward from Dutch side Feyenoord last year, with Bayern Munich eventually winning the race for his signature.
After one season with the club's youth teams it is safe to say that Zirkzee hasn't disappointed. The young forward scored an outstanding 16 goals and claimed 9 assists across 21 appearances with Bayern's Under-17 and Under-19 squads, all of which came before his 17th birthday.
The Netherlands Under-17 international was even included in the first team's pre-season tour this summer, where Zirkzee scored a delightful goal during Bayern Munich's comfortable 3-1 win against Paris Saint-Germain.
6. Serge Gnabry
Including a 23-year-old in this list might be cheating a bit, but Serge Gnabry's arrival in Bavaria rightly has fans chomping at the bit to see the former Arsenal forward in action.
Gnabry returned to Germany in 2016 and after just one year with SV Werder Bremen, the versatile winger was snapped up by Bayern Munich for just €8m.
Fearing about a lack of game time with the Bundesliga champions, Gnabry was immediately sent out on loan to continue his development with Germany's managerial wonderkid, Julian Nagelsmann, at TSG Hoffenheim.
Despite battling injury during the first half of the season, Gnabry featured a total of 27 times for Die Kraichgauer where he scored 10 goals and claimed eight assists, announcing himself as one to watch upon his return to Bayern Munich this summer.
5. Meritan Shabani
Hometown midfielder Meritan Shabani made his senior debut for Bayern Munich last season during a 4-1 win over Eintracht Frachfurt.
The 19-year-old, who was awarded a first team appearance thanks to his performances with the club's youth teams, was one of four youngsters who started in the club's home win.
Despite failing to make a huge impact on the game, Shabani has shown off his talent with Bayern Munich's Under-19 side, where he has made 69 appearances and been directly involved in 27 goals.
Although the Bundesliga giants do have an overloaded midfield, Shabani's versatility could see him drafted in to the senior squad before Bayern inevitably rotate their squad towards the end of the season.
4. Lars Lukas Mai
Teenage defender Lars Lukas Mai will be entering his first season at Bayern Munich tied to a professional contract.
After making his debut for the Bavarians a week earlier than the aforementioned Shabani in a comfortable win over Hannover 96, Mai put pen to paper on a three-year contract at the Allianz Arena and even retained his starting place when Bayern welcomed Frankfurt to Munich.
The former Dynamo Dresden player is still some way behind the likes of Mats Hummels, Jérôme Boateng and Niklas Süle in the club's pecking order, but Mai will certainly feature for the reigning champions on a more regular basis next season.
3. Franck Evina
Forward Franck Evina is already making a name for himself at Bayern Munich, and just like defender Lars Lukas Mai, the 18-year-old has already made two appearances for the club's senior team.
Evina's couple of run outs with the first team has seen him deployed on the left wing, where the Cameroon-born forward can show off his impressive pace and trickery.
But the versatile youngster has actually spent the majority of his time in Bayern Munich's youth system as a striker, where he has scored 21 goals and claimed eight assists in just 34 appearances across the club's various sides.
Competition for places will be high next season following the arrival of Serge Gnabry, as well as existing wingers Kingsley Coman, Arjen Robben and Franck Ribéry.
However, Evina could prove to be one of Bayern Munich's next success stories if he is given enough game time under Niko Kovač next season.
2. Renato Sanches
Few players have failed to live up to expectations quite like 20-year-old midfielder Renato Sanches. Despite having more appearances for Bayern Munich than the rest of the players on this list combined, the Portugal international has struggled to impress fans in Bavaria.
An underwhelming maiden campaign at the Allianz Arena saw the winner of European football's coveted Golden Boy award - something which has also been one by the likes of Paul Pogba, Isco, and most recently Kylian Mbappé - loaned out to Swansea City where he would once again link up with Paul Clement.
But Sanches' time in South Wales was even more frustrating than at Bayern Munich, making just 15 appearances across all competitions, although he did claim an assist during an EFL Cup win over Reading.
Although the arrival of Schalke 04 star Leon Goretzka on a free transfer could scupper Sanches' chances even further next season, the Portugal international could finally stamp his authority on the Bundesliga and finally reach his loft expectations.
1. Alex Timossi Andersson
Last but certainly not least on this list is teenage striker Alex Timossi Andersson - a player who wasn't meant to be part of Bayern Munich's squad this season.
It was confirmed some time ago that Timossi Andersson would join Bayern Munich, but the 17-year-old was meant to spend the season on loan with former side Helsingborgs IF.
However, the German giants opted to cut his spell back in Sweden short so that he could link up with the club's Under-19 squad and get used to Bayern's style of play.
Sporting director Hasan Salihamidžić has already confirmed that Timossi Andersson will be given a chance in the first team next season if he impresses within the club's youth system.
And the youngsters chances of getting a senior appearance would have only been boosted following his debut in pre-season, where Timossi Andersson scored the opening two goals in Bayern Munich Under-23's impressive 4-1 win over Arsenal.