9 months ago
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If Julian Nagelsmann is anything like Thomas Tuchel, Aleksandar Pavlovic could be in for a huge summer.
The Germany manager is understandably running out of time and patience with his squad, which looks set for a gigantic home embarrassment when Euro 2024 begins.
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Only getting worse since their 2022 World Cup disaster where they were knocked out at the group stage, there’s a recurring theme with both Germany and Bayern Munich, and it all centres around the middle of the pitch.
A nation previously renowned for its ability to produce the best technical midfielders in the game, things are beginning to fall apart, which is a problem when you haven’t bothered producing any strikers or defenders.
Bayern manager Tuchel has constantly called out Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka in the media for not being good enough, publicly saying he has no number six, something that came as news to Kimmich who awkwardly went viral when he replied to the comments by sheepishly saying ‘I’m a six’.
Nagelsmann is seemingly in agreement, swapping the Bayern duo out for Barcelona’s Ilkay Gundogan and Brighton’s Pascal Gross, without much luck.
Summing up the issue, German football association vice-president Ralph-Uwe Schaffert caused an uproar by saying Gundogan plays ‘like he sends his less talented twin brother’ on international duty, and he isn’t far wrong.
There have been calls for Real Madrid star Toni Kroos to come out of retirement, and that looks like it could still happen just for the summer tournament.
But, just as it looked like the wheels on the German talent factory were in some serious need of greasing, along came Pavlovic to bring a new hope.
The 19-year-old was a ball boy at Bayern’s Allianz Arena just a few years ago, and now in the space of months he could become the key for club and country having only made his club debut in October.
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Pavlovic instantly earned a professional contract, and is now absolutely key, scoring crucial goals in Bayern’s last two Bundesliga wins over Gladbach and Augsburg.
Those star performances came after a January window where Bayern’s priority was a central midfielder, but they ended up keeping their powder try thanks to their latest academy product.
Bayern fans will, understandably so, tell you he's better than Real Madrid and England midfielder Jude Bellingham, pointing out that as of the start of February Pavlovic has more goals than the 20-year-old.
"We know exactly what he can do,” Tuchel said during the window. "He is an integral part of our squad.
"That won't change if we sign another midfielder who can help our team because of his experience.”
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What looks far more likely now is that if Bayern do sign another midfielder in the summer, it will be at the expense of one of the household names of Kimmich or Goretzka, but certainly not Pavlovic.
Harry Kane isn’t surprised either, praising the youngster after a star showing in a must-win clash against Stuttgart in December.
“He’s got a really bright future if he just keeps his head down,” the England captain said. “He’s come in today in a big moment in the season and he’s been outstanding.”
Pavlovic isn’t massively shocked at how well he’s doing, saying after his first professional goal in January: “I have pretty good technique.
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“I was a ball boy here for several years, playing endless games, then scoring here in the stadium is even nicer. I grew up here, FC Bayern means everything to me."
That’s also true of his mentor in the squad, Thomas Muller, who has been one of the club’s most successful academy graduates before a down period for the German giants.
Muller, though, won’t let Pavlovic’s standards slip.
Speaking after his match-winning display against Gladbach last time out, the veteran said: It certainly wasn't perfect, in the first half I wasn't so happy with him in some duels.
"There were one or two moments where he played the ball inaccurately, there's still room for it up.
"I was absolutely convinced that he could play there and play a good game, though. Aleks is a footballer, he can run, he can fight, he can kick."
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Pavlovic simply replied: "I'm just playing football, the way I always do. When we play and it looks beautiful, it makes me even happier.”
Muller’s words are crucial, especially for Tuchel and Nagelsmann who are desperately looking for some grit and heart in midfield.
“Thank God Aleks plays the way I know him,” Muller added. “I always like coming off the bench with him because I know that something is possible offensively.
“He can work, and he always looks up. He plays football the way I know it. He has a good touch, and doesn't let himself be brought down. And what you saw today: he has the guts in his bones."
That vote of confidence has already clearly been approved by Tuchel, and will come as music to the ears of Nagelsmann who can seemingly only rely on Gross, and may well not secure Kroos’ services.
There’s only two friendlies left to play for Germany before the rest of Europe rocks up for Euro 2024, and they aren’t easy either, coming against France and the Netherlands.
However, Nagelsmann’s whole career has been built on taking risks with young talent, and should things continue to progress at Bayern on their current trajectory, Pavlovic certainly wouldn’t be the most wild of wildcards.
And those fans will love him even more if he can throw a spanner in the works and upset Xabi Alonso's title charge with Bayer Leverkusen...
