Early summer transfer spending shows how proactive the Bundesliga is
With the Bundesliga season only finishing just over a week ago, there have already been some notable transfer dealings at the start of the summer break.
While Bayern Munich have strengthened their already formidable squad with the shrewd capture of Leon Goretzka from Schalke, other clubs beside the champions have also made some eye-catching signings already.
In terms of Goretzka, Bayern have cherry-picked one of the standout players of the season, who was named in the Bundesliga team of the season alongside the likes of Thomas Muller and James Rodriguez, who he will be able to link-up with next season-an intimidating thought for Bundesliga defenders.
Such additions and the allure of playing for the most dominant team in Germany gives Munich a massive opportunity to make it seven league trophies in a row next campaign, as they will start the season as strong favourites once again.
It is not the case that only Bayern have made some notable signings, however. Borussia Monchengladbach have taken a bit of a gamble with the capture of 19-year-old winger Keanan Bennetts from Tottenham, but it reflects an ambition to develop promising young talent.
After the likes of Jadon Sancho and Ademola Lookman have proven their worth in the Bundesliga, Monchengladbach have illustrated their expectations for young talent by giving England Under-21 international Bennetts a four-year deal.
Developing raw, young talent can only be a positive for the German game, especially given the excitement which Sancho himself produced last season. In particular, his goal and two assists against Bayer Leverkusen, including an outrageous piece of skill to control a cross-field pass with the heel of his boot in full-flight before assisting Maximilian Philipp, was a moment of pure class.
Such moments would not materialise in front of large audiences if such players were stuck in academies or youth teams without any opportunity on the big stage.
Monchengladbach have also attracted another youngster in the form of 18-year-old Australian winger Christian Theoharous from Melbourne Victory, who broke into the first-team at Victory this season. Alongside Bennetts, such players will be given a platform to excite and play with youthful vibrancy.
A further young potential arriving in Germany from abroad is 20-year-old Spanish right-back Pablo Maffeo, who has signed for Stuttgart from Manchester City. Having been praised by Pep Guardiola, Maffeo attained consistent first-team experience after playing 33 games on loan at Girona in La Liga last season.
Man-marking the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will stand Maffeo in very good stead for the upcoming Bundesliga season, and the confidence taken from negating Ronaldo in Girona’s draw with Madrid, is a sign of outstanding confidence and talent.
Another signing from Manchester City was 19-year-old Dutch winger Javairo Dilrosun, who has joined Hertha Berlin. After playing regularly for City’s U23 side as well as various Dutch youth level teams, Dilrosun will now have his sights on regular first-team football.
Breaking into Pep Guardiola’s immensely talented squad is a tall task, but a long-term stint with Hertha Berlin will be an exciting proposition for the turbo-heeled midfielder.
Further signings such as Swiss goalkeeper Marwin Hitz to Dortmund, and Ishak Belfoldi to Hoffenheim from Standard Liege have added to the transfer dealings which have gone through so far. Bundesliga teams have been straight into the market vying for talent in order to welcome new additions to their squads.
Given the hive of activity so far, expect further noteworthy signings in the coming weeks. There really has been no time for rest for scouts and managers alike at the climax of a long domestic campaign.
