Will Niklas Süle be Bayern's new defensive chief?
Niklas Süle has reportedly been made Bayern München's new defensive chief by coach Niko Kovac.
On Saturday, Niklas Süle spent 90 minutes on the bench as Bayern München defeated regional league side SV Drochtersen/Assel by 1-0. But that is not likely to happen too many times again this season.
According to Bild, new Bayern München coach Niko Kovac wants to build his defense around the 22-year-old centre-back who will have a key role this season and stands before both Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng in the pecking order.
Actually, Süle also played more games for Bayern last season than both Hummels and Boateng. The former Hoffenheim centre-back appeared 42 times for the German champions, Hummels played 41 games while Boateng, who had his season hampered by injuries, made 31 appearances.
Boateng has been heavily linked with Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain during the summer, but it's likely that he will stay after all. 'The Red Devils' will not sign him as the transfer window in England is already closed while PSG recently signed another central defender - Thilo Kehrer from Schalke 04 - for €37 million.
Hummels and Boateng are not the only experienced players who could face more time on the bench in the coming season. According to Bild, Niko Kovac wants to perform a generation change on the wings and give Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry plenty of time on the pitch at the expense of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery.