After a phenomenal season that ended in bitter disappointment for Borussia Dortmund and Raphaël Guerreiro, the seven-year relationship between the full-back and Die Schwarzgelben has come to an end. A story consisting of ups and downs, injuries and stardom, goals and mistakes, has a final conclusion.
While Guerreiro left everything on the pitch for BVB, it may ultimately be in vain, as his decision to move to Bayern Munich would have certainly frustrated the Dortmund fans. However, it is a move that could prove fruitful for both parties with opportunities for Guerreiro to flourish, while there could be an opening of the doors in Bavaria.
Guerreiro could replace Alphonso Davies
In the last few years, it is no secret that Bayern have struggled for consistency in their full-back areas. While for the most part, Alphonso Davies has cemented his name on the left-back position, the Canadian has still had his struggles with injuries and inconsistencies. This has meant that Bayern, this year in particular, have looked far more vulnerable than in previous seasons. In the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Manchester City, Davies struggled to keep up with the trickery of Bernardo Silva.
It was a performance that resembled a player that was not completely comfortable playing as a full-back. While the Canadian international has still been able to shine for Die Rekormsieter in that position, he does not feel like a long-term solution. The 22-year-old would even state in a recent interview: “I was signed to be Robben’s replacement… Here we go three, four years later I am stuck there. I am just waiting for my opportunity to play up top.”
Now that Davies is being linked with a move to Real Madrid – with the man he succeeded in David Alaba luring him to the Spanish capital – there could be an opening for Guerreiro as a starting player for the German champions. Even if Davies were to stay, Guerreiro could allow the 22-year-old to be pushed further up the pitch. Guerreiro has shown this season that he has significantly improved in the defensive third while still being able to operate at a high level in advanced areas with 19 goals and assists for BVB this campaign. Thomas Tuchel could finally have his ideal left-back.
Guerreiro can also be an option in midfield
The signing of João Cancelo on loan from Manchester City, while not proving to be as groundbreaking as first imagined, did still give those at Bayern an insight into how beneficial it could be to have a world-class player that is remarkably versatile. The Portuguese international spent the majority of his playing time in the left-back role, while also covering the right-hand side and in the midfield.
The asking price that the English side will demand will undoubtedly be higher than the shrewd German champions will be willing to pay, which means that Cancelo’s fellow countryman is the perfect solution on a free transfer. Edin Terzić had been toying with the idea of Guerreiro becoming a midfielder with the 29-year-old shining as a dynamic threat during his fleeting appearances in the middle of the park.
However, with players returning from injury Guerreiro resigned back to his natural role. Nevertheless, the Portuguese international combines attacking threat with phenomenal ball progression, which would perfectly complement Joshua Kimmich in midfield. With Leon Goretzka failing to make an impression this season, there is a void in midfield that needs filling especially after the pursuit of Declan Rice failed. The versatility Guerreiro offers could be perfect for Bayern and Tuchel could be reunited with his right-hand man.
GGFN | Will Shopland
