Southgate comments on Musiala switch: "His Bayern teammates had the chance to influence him."
Speaking with reporters after last night's wild 3-3 draw with the German national team, England gaffer Gareth Southgate took time to comment on his program's loss of the jewel that is teenage talent Jamali Musiala.
As the Bundesliga prepares to pick up again, 19-year-old Jamal Musiala enters the 2022/23 campaign as the leading goalscorer on Germany's top caliber club. In the wake of the loss of Robert Lewandowski, it's no small matter that the teenage talent lead's German football's most expensive team with four league tallies.
As Musiala's estimated market worth has skyrocketed to an estimated €80 million (he is currently tied with Joshua Kimmich for the highest-valued German player, it's also no small matter to reflect upon how unlikely his switch of allegiance over Germany seemed at one time. The topic happens to be one that German journalists are always eager to ask the youngster about. Musiala has offered his reasons.
For England national team head-coach Gareth Southgate, the topic had to be addressed after Musiala put on a dazzling display in last night's 3-3 draw with Germany. The Three Lions' trainer certainly lamented the teenager's choice, mostly chalking it up to Musiala's transfer to Bayern from the Chelsea youths in 2019.
Working on the Bayern campus and later with half the German national team regulars at the senior level, the English FA gradually waned in influence. After a certain point, little could be done to keep Musiala representing the Isle's main kingdom.
"He's an exceptional player," Southgate conceded, "He played with us along with Jude [Bellingham] for the U16s. And he knows how much we like him and how much we wanted to keep him with us."
"He trained at Bayern Munich with players from the German national team," Southgate continued, "And they had a chance to influence him. That's a great pity, as he's a really special talent."
Touring the social media rounds on Monday evening, a photo of Musiala and Bellingham in the tricots of the England youth level became very popular. The teenager lived in England for nine years between the ages of 7 and 16. As a result of his upbringing, he speaks both languages fluently without so much of a hint of an accent.
These two old mates are already tremendous players. Can you imagine how great they’ll become over the next decade or so?! Musiala and Bellingham showed again tonight that they’re going to be superstars. pic.twitter.com/yrTuMjA3kj
— John Bennett (@JohnBennettBBC) September 26, 2022