How To Solve A Problem Like Replacing Thomas Mueller

But as he ages and his performances start to decline, the question on every Bayern fan's mind is: “How can we find a suitable replacement for him?” Finding someone to fill his shoes won't be easy, but with the right approach and a bit of creativity, it's definitely possible.
In this article, we'll explore some tips and strategies for solving the conundrum of how to replace a legendary player like Thomas Mueller.
Jamal Musiala
It’s not just Mueller that Musiala has been tipped to replace, but the man many people call the GOAT (Greatest of All Time): Leo Messi.
The 20-year-old has been on fire this season. He scored nine goals and provided six assists in his opening 14 games for Bayern Munich, making him their top scorer and assist provider. He then went to the World Cup and starred for Germany, marking him out as one of the young players of the tournament.
In recent years, several players have been touted as potential successors to the legendary Argentine, but Musiala seems to be living up to the hype. His exceptional skill in controlling the ball in tight spaces is unmatched, reminiscent of the way it often seems to stick to Messi's left foot.
Musiala is primarily right-footed but can use his left when necessary, and he has a strong shot. He prefers to play as a No.10 behind the striker, like Mueller, but can also play as a No.9 or on the wings.
Leroy Sane
Bayern have several talented players who could do a job behind the striker as Mueller does. Leroy Sane is one of them, a pacey winger who has the talent to play central.
Yet relying on Sane is a bit like taking a punt on games of chance: yes, you may sometimes win a decent prize, but you often come away with nothing. Coach Julian Nagelsmann has dropped the winger several times for erratic displays, and he may not be up to such a key role in the side.
That said, when Sane has played central, he’s still produced the goods. In his first six games there this season, he chalked up two goals and two assists, and made a general nuisance of himself, albeit against poor opponents.
If he can sort out his consistency and, some might say, his maturity, Sane could be Bayern’s hero-in-waiting.
Arijon Ibrahimovic
No, he’s not related to Zlatan, but the young Ibrahimovic boasts a youth goalscoring record that must rank somewhere close to the super Swede’s very own.
Arijon has excelled for Germany’s youth teams, bagging 11 goals in 18 games, and he earned himself a start for his club after becoming one of their most prolific youth players in their history.
Could he replace Mueller? Well, Ibrahimovic has impressed his coaches at the Bundesliga champions with his exceptional technical skills on the ball, as well as his in-game intelligence in terms of pressing and positioning. If he can make the most of his first-team appearances, Bayern may well find a ready-made replacement on their hands.
Paul Wanner
He may only be 17, but Wanner has shown some Mueller-like tendencies in Bayern U19s and the Germany underage national sides. It’s one of the reasons why he became the club’s youngest-ever player when he made his debut in January 2022, aged just 16 years and 15 days.
Wanner excels as an attacking midfielder, particularly in central areas where he can use his skills to thread precise passes and disrupt opposing defenses. With his slender physique, exceptional close control, and effortless gliding movements across the pitch, the left-footed player bears a striking resemblance to former Bayer Leverkusen forward Kai Havertz in terms of his style of play.
But maybe he could do the job of Mueller if asked.
New signings are a big part of any team’s development and Bayern always have their eye on the transfer market, particularly during the summer.
However, the club’s officials have spent most their time denying links to players, including Dusan Vlahovic and Harry Kane. In the case of the latter, Bayern chief Uli Hoeness even openly said that the club ‘don’t have the money’.
If that’s true then we may just see backup signed for Mueller rather than an outright replacement, but Bayern fans will know that, in football, you never say never.