Thomas Tuchel and FC Bayern Munich

Tz (via @iMiaSanMia) reports that Thomas Tuchel is prepared to force Bayern Munich to sell Matthijs de Ligt come summertime. Although the 24-year-old Dutchman only joined from 

Juventus in 2022, it appears the coach wants a new defensive leader starting next summer. 

Ronald Araújo, a defender for FC Barcelona, is the coach's top choice. 

What is this defensive leader, exactly? This in-depth analysis by Tz suggests that

in addition to performing regular defensive duties, the player in question must 

organize the defence. De Ligt fits that role perfectly, but Tuchel doesn't seem to 

be impressed with the Dutchman's ability to play vertical passes from the back. 

This is the reason why Matthijs de Ligt has had difficulty getting playing time this season 

and why Bayern Munich is concentrating on signing a new defender. 

The Dutchman occasionally irritated his teammates by criticizing the team in 

media interviews in the past, according to the same Tz report. This is an odd admission 

considering De Ligt has never said anything that went too far.

Alphonso Davies is presently considering offers from Real Madrid, and Tuchel is also 

trying to push Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka out the door, so it appears 

that Bayern Munich will have a lot of squad turnover in the summer. 

Unless Christoph Freund, the sporting director, is up to the challenge of navigating 

these rough waters, 2024–2025 might prove to be a more difficult season than this one.