Despite a slight dip in form since their historic start to the season, Bayern Munich are still in very good shape, as they come closer to the winter break.
Even so, the team remain without the services of such key players as Alphonso Davies and Jamal Musiala for the time being. The former seems close to a return, while the latter still needs more time to come back from his injuries. Here, we explore what the Davies and Musiala return will mean for Bayern Munich.
The Significance of the Davies and Musiala Return to the Bayern Munich Side
There is no doubt about the fact that both players are absolutely world-class, that they would greatly improve any team that they would be a part of, and ultimately that Bayern are very lucky to have both of them on their books until 2030.
Yet, there has been much talk about how the Davies and Musiala return to the pitch will make the Bavarians an even “scarier” opponent for the rest of Germany, as well as Europe to deal with.
Logically speaking, of course, that is certainly the case. If two such top-class players walk into a team, that side should get a major boost from it. Particularly in the left-back (Davies) and playmaker positions (Musiala), where Bayern had to improvise up to this point.
The Other Side of the Argument
The problem is that the dynamics inside team sports sometimes defy logic. Their above-mentioned slight decrease in form notwithstanding, the Bavarians are so far overall playing a phenomenal season.
They have created a team spirit and a team chemistry that are arguably better, than they have been at any other point in the last 30 years at the club.
That does not mean to imply, of course, that it is somehow bad that those two excellent players look to be coming back in the near future. Far from it!
The Davies and Musiala return to the field is very exciting news for Bayern, no doubt about that. The only thing we are trying to say is that when two such regular starters join a functioning side mid-season, it certainly alters the squad hierarchy in a big way.
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Players Most Impacted
Raphaël Guerreiro, Josip Stanišić, Konrad Laimer, Tom Bischof, and Sacha Boey have all helped out at the left-back position for Bayern this term. They all prefer to play in other areas of the pitch. So, the return of Davies may not deprive many of them of too much playing time necessarily.
But when it comes to Musiala and the number ten position, it will free up Michael Olise to play on the right wing, thus limiting the need for new local hero, youngster Lennart Karl.
It will free up Harry Kane to focus on his main job as a striker, therefore denying time to Nicolas Jackson. Serge Gnabry might lose out entirely, which jeopardises his chances of making the Germany squad for the summer’s World Cup.
Final Thoughts
Of course, the return of Davies and Musiala will be a big net positive for Bayern, as hopefully there will be enough games for everyone to go around in the spring.
Even so, there could be one or two unhappy players more at the club, which would be enough to change the positive atmosphere around it.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Philippe Ruiz
Recording Date: 28.11.2025
