Chelsea, Liverpool or Real Madrid - What next for Bayern wonder boy Jamal Musiala?

Tom Weber

• Updated: 18 Oct 2023 11:27 BST
• 4 min read

Jamal Musiala is quickly becoming one of Europe's most sought-after commodities.

As confirmed by Fabrizio Romano, a host of European giants are keeping tabs on the Bayern wonderkid's development, including Liverpool and Chelsea, while Spanish media report that Real Madrid are eyeing the 20-year-old with his good friend Jude Bellingham potentially being an ace up their sleeve.

Questions may be asked as to why Bayern would let their most exciting youth product in decades leave when they could yet get at least another decade out of him. But the truth is, it is harder to see him staying than leaving. Musiala grew up in England and represented the Three Lions at the youth level (where he met Bellingham).

The youngster featured in the academies of Southampton and Chelsea and he has stated that he uses every available opportunity in his free time to return to London. Moreover, he admitted last month that the prospect of playing in the Premier League is very alluring to him. Musiala is out of contract in 2026 and talks with Bayern are on standby due to the sacking of the club's sporting leadership at the end of last season.

READ: Why Sane is Liverpool's perfect long-term Salah replacement

It will be hard for the perennial German champions to convince their wonderkid to stay, especially if Thomas Tuchel remains in charge. The ex-Chelsea boss has frequently been accused of not getting the best out of Musiala, of neglecting him.

Musiala has already won everything there is to win at Bayern, even, technically, the Champions League (despite not featuring). Although Harry Kane and Leroy Sane are firing on all cylinders this term, Bayern do not look like they can challenge for a European trophy under Tuchel. They are still showing the same frailties that prematurely cost Julian Nagelsmann his job.

What next for Musiala?

Taking all of the above into account, it is difficult to imagine him staying beyond the duration of his current deal. Whether he runs his contract down Kylian Mbappe-style or whether Bayern could look to cash in when a megarich club comes calling is impossible to say at this stage.

And yet. If we consult the experts at SciSports who calculate a 'club fit' rating for players by collecting thousands of data points, we see that the grass isn't always greener. Indeed, according to SciSports, staying at Bayern is the best thing Musiala can do for his career.

READ: Pochettino sacked before Christmas? Ex-Chelsea star 'doubts he'll get the time'

The Bavarians boast a club fit rating of 84, by far the highest of any side. The other ratings are surprisingly low. PSG come in second with a measly 79, while former club Chelsea have one of 69.

Interestingly, the Blues are the only club among Musiala's top 15 who are given a five-star rating in terms of playing style, indicating that the German would do well under Mauricio Pochettino. Real Madrid, meanwhile, don't feature at all in the top 15.

Although common sense would suggest Musiala will eventually move on, perhaps he should think twice about leaving a familiar environment.

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