Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala has earned the highest of praise from Julian Nagelsmann and Hansi Flick, two coaches key in the 19-year-old’s development. Behind Gavi and Eduardo Camavinga in the 2022 Kopa Trophy, Musiala has showcased many times the generational talent that he is.
During his time at Bayern, Flick awarded Musiala his Bundesliga and Champions League debuts at just 17. Speaking last month, he praised the Wunderkind: “Jamal has great anticipation, somehow always has his feet on the ball, wins a lot of the ball and makes first contact. How he intuitively frees himself from situations in which he actually has a lot of pressure from is impressive.
“He can also play more offensively, and that’s where he puts pressure on the others. He simply has the qualities that a team needs, especially when things get tight in the final third. That’s why he’s a big factor in our considerations.
With six goals and four assists in the Bundesliga this season, as per FBRef, Musiala (1.32) leads Borussia Dortmund’s Youssoufa Moukoko (1.21) and Augsburg’s Mergim Berisha (1.12) in goals and assists per 90. Randal Kolo Muani (1.07), Serge Gnabry (1.04) and Daichi Kamada (1.03) make up the top six.
Only Eintracht Frankfurt’s Kolo Muani (1.19) creates more goal-creating actions/90 than Musiala (1.18). Across Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League over the last 365 days, Musiala is in the 99th percentile for touches and progressive passes, 98th percentile for non-penalty xG and 97th percentile for total shots and dribbles completed in comparison to other midfielders.
At just 19, Musiala really can become one of the best.
GGFN | Daniel Pinder
