Thiago Alcântara's New Contract Reflects How He's Gone From Strength to Strength at Bayern Munich
By Ben Carter
Bayern Munich might not be able to reclaim the Bundesliga title just yet, but the Rekordmeister have made the most of football's unexpected pause by handing out new contracts to some of their star players this season.
Thomas Müller's new deal will keep him tied to the Allianz Arena until 2023, following one of his most influential seasons since the start of the last decade, while Alphonso Davies' breakout campaign has seen him rewarded with an extension and pay rise.
Bayern Munich haven't completed their third contract extension just yet, but Germany's most successful team are on the cusp of confirming a new deal for Thiago Alcântara, which should keep him in Bavaria until 2023.
Earlier this season there were murmurings about Thiago's future at the club. Specifically, Bayern Munich were 'concerned' the Spain international was eyeing up a return to Barcelona, where he'd spent seven years as an academy player before graduating from La Masia.
As a senior player he was never really appreciated in Catalonia, but Thiago has always been an important part of Bayern Munich's first team throughout his seven-year spell at the club.
The 29-year-old's impact when helping the club adapt to Pep Guardiola's tactics was immeasurable and he's gradually improved over the years too, but Thiago has never stood out to a wider audience as one of Bayern Munich's most important players.
From the outside looking in, it's easy to assume Thiago has been mismanaged at Bayern Munich. He's widely known as one of the most technically gifted players in Europe right now, but in 227 appearances for the Reds, he's featured most often (positionally, at least) as a holding or defensive midfielder.
But it doesn't take long to realise Thiago's place at the base of their midfield has arguably been just as important to Bayern Munich's domestic success over the last seven years as Robert Lewandowski's role through the middle or Arjen Robben's left foot.
Initially, Thiago's deep-lying role largely comprised of him receiving the ball from a more naturally defensive-minded player, before influencing Bayern Munich's attacks with his incredible passing range from the centre of the pitch.
But these days, Thiago isn't afraid to get his hands dirty either. The Spaniard is still the player who orchestrates a lot of attacks. Perhaps even more than used to as well. But he's now more than capable of picking up some defensive duties too.
His development has been a key factor for Joshua Kimmich as well. Managers have been trying to use the 25-year-old as a midfielder throughout his career, but it's only recently alongside Thiago where the Germany international has looked like he could really prosper in that position - as opposed to as a right back.
On top of everything Thiago offers which goes unnoticed, he's also been finding himself on the back pages more regularly than normal this season. His three-goal tally is his highest in a single Bundesliga campaign since the 2016/17 season, with all those goals coming in consecutive matches after Germany's winter break.
While Thiago will always offer a threat going forward thanks to his education at Barcelona, it's how the Spain international has developed the other side of his game which makes him one of the most talented all-rounders in Europe's major leagues, and the building block which Bayern Munich need to continue building their team around.