Nagelsmann hints at future use of Bouna Sarr in attack: "I think he's better farther forward."
When asked about the three right-backs on his roster during a Friday press conference, FC Bayern München head-coach Julian Nagelsmann had something rather interesting to say on the matter of Senegalese international Bouna Sarr.
| Bouna Sarr. |
The now 30-year-old fullback never really found his way back into the team after these early stumbles. Sarr has made just 27 appearances across all competitions (mostly in relief) for the Bavarians over the last two seasons. He has not yet made a competitive appearance for the defending champions this year.
With Benjamin Pavard and new signing Noussair Mazraoui ahead of him on the depth-chart, it had long been assumed that Bayern would try to dispose of him this transfer period. While the fact that he hasn't been linked with any other club can be explained by the presumed fact that no interest has been generated, Julian Nagelsmann actually revealed that he might have plans in mind for Sarr when speaking at a Friday presser.
"I assume that he will stay," Nagelsmann said when asked about the defender, "I don't see him just as a right-back, rather a tad further forward. On the right side of midfield. Because he dribbles high and takes some risks. He possesses a very good dribbling pace, has creative solutions, and a solid eye for goal."
"Sarr is not a classic defender," the head-coach went on to say, "Even if he came to Bayern as such and plays there for the national team. I think he's better further forward."
In point of fact, Sarr did not play at right-back in his most recent major tour-of-duty for the Senegalese national team. Terangan trainer Aliou Cissé frequently used Sarr as a right-slanted midfielder or even right-flank attacker during Senegal's run to the continental title during last January's Africa Cup of Nations.
Now that teammate Sadio Mané works on Bayern's top attacking axis, it remains quite possible that Nagelsmann will use Sarr as an attacker at some point this season.
