Why Bayern Munich's signing of Jonathan Tah could be the final piece in their defensive puzzle

Advertisement
 

From a defensive standpoint, Bayern Munich experienced a notably unstable season last year. To further complicate the matter, injuries caused setbacks for many defensive players simultaneously and rattled the entire team.

With the transfer of Jonathan Tah, the team may have found the final piece of the puzzle when it comes to these defensive issues. Many experts share this sentiment, but it still takes time for the new player to transition into the team and find their footing.

Who is Jonathan Tah?

Jonathan Tah from Hamburg is regarded as one of the top defensive players in the league at present. He began his career in Hamburg and moved between Fortuna Düsseldorf and Bayer Leverkusen. After a decade at Bayer Leverkusen, it was time for a change.

Tah made over 400 appearances, becoming a captain and leading the team to a domestic double title in the 2023-24 season. He's also played 37 games for the national team and played a key role in Germany's Euro 2024 campaign.

The deal

Tah joined Bayern Munich ahead of the Club World Cup, just a few weeks before his contract with Bayer Leverkusen was set to expire. According to reports, Bayern paid a few million euros to sign him early.

Tah's salary is set at €12 million per year, and there's a one-time signing bonus of €15 million. This makes Tah one of the best-paid defenders in the league.

Tah has been given the No. 4 shirt and made his first appearances for Bayern at the Club World Cup. Some crypto sports betting sites already have odds on when he will score his first goal for his new club. The odds for this are somewhat high, given his position in the team. Because of their support for cryptocurrencies, these sports betting sites allow players to make fast and secure wagers on riskier propositions, such as predicting the exact time when the first goal will be scored or the number of fouls each team will commit, as well as traditional bets on who will win.

Why do Bayern need him and what can Tah bring to the team?

Bayern moved to bolster their defense after Eric Dier’s exit, with a long-term injury to Hiroki Ito and consistent Achilles problems for Kim Min-jae adding urgency to their search

Jonathan Tah isn't just a body to fill the spot left open by injuries. In fact, he's a very skilled player, with extensive experience and amazing physical abilities. At 1.95 meters, he dominates aerial duels and calms the defense line even when things are hectic.

Tah is also not a clumsy player, which is rare considering his height. His passing accuracy exceeded 94%, making him more than capable of holding the back line. Off the field, Tah is known to be a leader, which is another quality Bayern will need.

Fitting into the Bayern system

Bayern have somewhat changed their strategy and style under the new management, with the focus now being on a more progressive and ball-playing defense. This is exactly where Tah will fit in, with his intelligent approach to defense and physical ability.

Tah is expected to be paired with Upamecano. The Frenchman will provide pace and aggression, while Tah provides calmness and reads the game. That way, the two players balance each other.

Potential challenges

The move isn't without its downsides and challenges. Tah is 29 years old at this point, which means that he has only a few years of his prime left. Bayern has a busy schedule both at home and abroad, and his physical abilities will be tested to their limits in the months and years to come.

There's also a matter of team cohesion since this transfer may mean Kim Min-jae will be benched. This is a part of professional football, but it may also be a cause of tension among the players.

To sum up…

Bayern Munich have brought in a new defensive player from Bayer Leverkusen. In Jonathan Tah, they've signed a highly skilled veteran player who will fit perfectly with their defense line. The team have needed this reinforcement as they have had problems with several defense players due to injuries.

At 29, Tah is seen as a veteran by footballing standards, with the latter stages of his career now in view.