"Don't sell him."
German outlet 'RAN' criticized on the 23rd (Korean time), stating, "Selling Kim Min-jae could lead not only to unmet expectations for reinforcements but also to a boomerang effect of weakening the team."
Kim Min-jae played 43 matches and logged 3,593 minutes in total while wearing the Bayern jersey for all competitions during the 2024-2025 season, including 2,289 minutes in the league alone. This is the second most playing time on the team, following Joshua Kimmich. Notably, Kim Min-jae has been carrying an Achilles injury since last October while continuing to play.
Despite needing rest, Kim Min-jae could not properly recuperate due to numerous injuries among his teammates and continued to secure Bayern's defense. He has become a 'symbol of overwork' to the extent that the International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPro) expressed concern. Thanks to his efforts, Bayern regained the Meisterschale (Bundesliga championship trophy) that was lost to Bayer Leverkusen last season. Kim Min-jae also became the first Korean player to win titles in two of the top five European leagues.
After lifting the Serie A trophy with Napoli in the 2022-2023 season, Kim Min-jae successfully conquered the Bundesliga as well. However, Bayern is considering parting ways with Kim Min-jae. Local sources have criticized him for making too many mistakes in the second half of the season. Bayern's board is willing to let Kim Min-jae go abroad if they receive a suitable offer and has already signed Joona Taal.
Kim Min-jae, who always proclaimed he would stay at Bayern to prove himself, has changed his mind. Volk stated, "Kim Min-jae is one of the candidates for release this summer. He would not hesitate to leave if he receives an attractive offer. He keenly feels the criticism of his performances in Munich."
The speculation around Kim Min-jae's transfer continues amid Bayern's publicity efforts. Nevertheless, local sources believe that Bayern's overworking last season still hampers him. In fact, it is reported that Bayern is trying to have Kim Min-jae participate in the Club World Cup despite the risks. Nonetheless, due to his impressive performance, he is being linked with several big clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool.
Kim Min-jae missed matches entirely due to an injury at the end of the season. He even missed the June international matches as his recovery was prolonged. Local media speculated that participating in the Club World Cup was virtually impossible for him. However, Bayern's call-up for Kim Min-jae shocked many, although he cannot participate in the group stage.
Even Max Eberl, Bayern's Director General, directly mentioned Kim Min-jae in a press conference ahead of the Club World Cup. While his future was a topic of discussion, the core of his remarks about Kim Min-jae revolved around his 'injury.' He denied rumors stating that Bayern's overworking had worsened Kim Min-jae's injury.
Bayern's Director General Eberl stated, "Kim Min-jae cannot train properly due to his Achilles injury. However, we have heard many claims that we have put his health at risk," he continued, "We have never exacerbated Kim Min-jae's injury. Rather, we have always managed it well while controlling everything closely."
Eberl, who denied overworking, said, "Kim Min-jae only expressed a desire to rest and recover his health. He plans to join the team again in a few days. And when he returns, competition for a starting spot will begin. There are many defenders, so Kim Min-jae will have to compete."
This situation is due to the risks associated with selling Kim Min-jae. Although Taal has been signed, there are areas where he does not align well with Manager Vincent Kompany's tactics. RAN pointed out this discrepancy, noting that while Taal performed well in Leverkusen's three-back system, he might struggle in Kompany's high-line four-back system.
According to RAN, the metrics and analyses are in favor of Kim Min-jae. Although their top speeds are similar, Kim Min-jae outperforms Taal in burst acceleration and agility. In fact, Kim Min-jae shows rapid acceleration over short distances, while it takes Taal time to pick up his speed. In ground duels, Kim Min-jae has a success rate of 51%, while Taal has 44%. The number of duels also indicates that Kim Min-jae engaged in more than twice as many.
Adaptive tactical ability is also a variable. RAN evaluated, "Kim Min-jae is a player capable of providing cover deep in the opponent's territory. He perfectly matches Manager Kompany's style, which prefers a high line." In contrast, Taal is a player specialized in the three-back system from his time at Leverkusen, and it remains uncertain whether he can adapt to Bayern's four-back system.
Of course, Kim Min-jae has also shown uncertain moments this season due to the impact of his injuries. However, RAN stated, "We need to consider that he played through pain. A healthy Kim Min-jae can still be a significant asset to the team's defense," and warned, "If Taal is not an upgrade, simply replacing him will not secure Munich's defense."
Currently, Kim Min-jae is attracting interest from multiple big clubs in Europe, including Paris Saint-Germain, Napoli, and AC Milan. Depending on what Bayern Munich decides this summer, the dynamics of the European defensive market could be significantly shaken. There is widespread attention on whether Munich's choice will lead to further regrets.
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