They say simple solutions are the best. FC Barcelona are currently in talks to extend Robert Lewandowski for another year. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich need a new striker after Nicolas Jackson heads back to Chelsea FC when his loan deal expires. There is a solution here that benefits all parties (well, maybe not Barça).
Robert Lewandowski should return to FC Bayern on a short term deal.
Making the case for a 38-year-old
It might seem strange, going back to Lewandowski at this stage. However, the move makes plenty of sense from a Bayern Munich perspective.
Consider this. Bayern Munich play Mainz 05 this weekend. Imagine if Vincent Kompany could rest Harry Kane for a game, knowing he has a veteran backup in the form of Robert Lewandowski ready to slot in.
Lewandowski already knows the club. He knows many of the players. He understands the playstyle and the role of a striker in the system. Of course, he plays very differently from Harry Kane, but he still has the quality of an elite number 9 (albeit diminished due to his age).
There is precedent for doing this. Back in 2012, Bayern Munich brought Claudio Pizzaro back from Werder Bremen to serve as a backup for a few years. Pizzaro was 34 at the time. He did a solid job in the 12/13 and 13/14 seasons, managing 13+9 and 11+4 G+A respectively.
Lewandowski is older than Pizzaro, but he also has more longevity than the Peruvian, as well as a higher performance ceiling. Having a player like him behind Harry Kane in the pecking order would be a tremendous option for any club, let alone FC Bayern.
In addition, it unlocks additional tactical modes for the coach to exploit. Say Bayern are 1-0 down against a super-physical team defending deep in their box. Say that Jamal Musiala and Lennart Karl aren’t good options for this type of game. Then why not bring on Robert Lewandowski, and switch to a two-striker system?
An option like this would be amazing for the upcoming game against PSG next week, with Serge Gnabry injured and Jamal Musiala only just returned from injury. Nicolas Jackson can’t pull it off, but Robert Lewandowski could. Especially if you put him in the current version of the Bayern Munich attack.
Why Lewy should say yes
Lewandowski’s time at the top level in Europe is coming to a close. He has struggled this season for Barcelona, and was even benched in the second leg vs Atlético Madrid for Ferran Torres. That may not seem like a big deal, but it tells the world that when Hansi Flick needed goals against a Simeone team, Lewy was not the man for the job.
Moving to Bayern Munich at this stage would give him a few more years at the top level, challenging for more titles and possibly the Champions League again. He would also return to a country and a club he is familiar with, which would make the transition easier rather than heading to Juventus or following Thomas Müller to MLS.
Now, FC Bayern may have to sweeten the deal by offering a potential two-year contract instead of one, but a player of Lewandowski’s caliber seems worth it.
Potential pitfalls
Age is the main concern, as Lewandowski has noticeably slowed down this season. He could probably benefit from a backup role, playing fewer minutes to preserve his diminished legs, but it might not be enough. Would he still be able to play the demanding role of a striker at his age?
Another wrinkle is the potential transfer of Anthony Gordon. The Newcastle United forward has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich this summer, and he can play across the forward line. It’s likely that Bayern are planning to make him the striker backup next season.
If Gordon does arrive, then Bayern Munich would not need to sign Lewandowski. But it would still be a good idea to have a dedicated striker backup regardless.
Finally, Lewandowski may not be ready to accept a backup role at this stage. Barça still want to keep him, so they may meet his wage demands, making him too expensive for FC Bayern to compete. That would mean any potential transfer falls through.
Conclusion
There are no current links between Bayern Munich and Robert Lewandowski. This article was just a thought experiment, proposing a hypothetical that probably will never come true.
Still, it’s interesting to think about. How would this current version of Lewandowski fare in the current Bayern attack? How would he share a dressing room with Harry Kane? How would Vincent Kompany handle a complicated player like him?
For now, focus remains on the Champions League semi-finals against PSG. However, come the summer, this may be a topic worth revisiting.