The arrival of Matthijs de Ligt adds to the list of expensive centre-backs that Bayern Munich have bought. Previously, Bayern had Lucas Hernandez who was as valuable as De Ligt who was €80m (Rp 1.21 trillion). Last season, Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann had his former RB Leipzig teammate Dayot Upamecano with a transfer value of 42.5 million euros (644 billion Rp).

Having three expensive centre-backs seems to support the tactics of Nagelsmann, who actually likes a three-back scheme. Reflecting on the centre-back bulletins published every six months by German football magazines (2021-22 Bundesliga second half), none of Bayern’s centre-backs made it into the top five. “Niklas Sule, who was on the list, was instead released by Bayern (joined Borussia Dortmund this summer, editor’s note),” write Bavarian Football Works.

No less ironic, Bayern’s centre-back in the current squad looks vacant. There is only Tanguy Nianzou (20 years old / France) who signed for free last season and Chris Richards (22 years old / United States), former student of the FC Dallas academy.

Bayern and German national team legend Lothar Matthaus also asked why Die Roten couldn’t bring in a centre-back from the academy. “Even if I have a lot of money, why not (sign expensive defenders, Red)?” wrote Matthaus in a column on Sky Sport.de.

Indeed, the son of Bayern sporting director Hasan “Brazzo” Salihamidzic, Nick Salihamidzic, was unable to break into Die Roten’s first team. Nick, 19, was instead loaned out to Canadian club Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Even then, Nick was added to the reserve club for MLS Next Pro (American League second tier) competitors Whitecaps FC 2. (ren/c9/dns)