Highly rated in the latest versions of popular video games, German central defender Niklas Süle has agreed a transfer in real life from Hoffenheim to Bayern Munich. Will Bayern’s already stellar defense stunt the development of Süle or is this the best club for him?
If you play FIFA 17 or Football Manager 17, you have heard of Hoffenheim’s Niklas Süle. Your virtual scouts will have pointed out that he is a 20-year-old “wonderkid” with height (6’4 ½) and pace usually reserved for Olympic sprinters. If you play either game, Sule is one of the most promising center backs in the game.
In reality, he just might be the best (although in my opinion, it would be Marquinhos). He led Germany to a silver medal at the Rio Olympics and was one of the first names on the team sheet for Hoffenheim as they finished eighth in the Bundesliga in 2014/15 and survived the Bundesliga last season under difficult circumstances.
Currently, Hoffenheim are in fifth in the Bundesliga at the winter break and fighting hard for a Champions League spot for next season. However, if they do qualify for Champions League football next season, Hoffenheim will play without their most talented player as Süle (alongside Hoffenheim midfielder and fellow German international Sebastian Rudy) will be moving to Bayern Munich.
During the past summer, Süle resisted moves to England as Chelsea reportedly made a 30 million Euro offer and Jurgen Klopp also made a bid to bring his countryman to Liverpool. Süle’s loyalty to Hoffenheim was admirable in the face of big-money moves but it seems he could not hold out when Bayern Munich came calling. Bayern announced the capture on social media and continue their policy of raiding other Bundesliga clubs for their top talent.
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With German international center back Holger Badstuber needing to join Schalke on loan to get regular playing time, it remains to be seen if this is a good move for Süle. Bayern have the best pair of central defenders in world football in Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng (which makes this Messi goal seem even more amazing) and neither will be giving up their position in the first XI any time soon.
Javi Martinez, whose transfer to Bayern was a Bundesliga record in August 2012 and is still the second-most expensive purchase in Bundesliga history, is also available at center back for the German champions and so it is easy to question where Süle will find regular playing time to continue his development – both for club and country.
While serving an apprenticeship at Bayern did not do Mario Gotze many favors, the age and injury history of Bayern’s three 28-year-old center backs Hummels, Boateng and Martinez might work to Süle’s advantage as he can learn from world-class defenders and be ready to assume a starting position in a season or two when age starts to catch up with Munich’s trio.
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Bayern obviously made this purchase for the future (and to ward off English clubs purchasing talent in Bayern’s backyard) but it is still difficult to determine if this is the right move for Süle’s development to fulfill his immense potential.