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'Thin' Bayern squad face Blues test
The Straits Times
|September 17, 2025
Bayern Munich's revamped lineup faces an early test in their Champions League opener at home to Club World Cup winners Chelsea on Sept 17.
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The German giants have had little time to settle after a summer of upheaval, particularly up front.
Forwards Leroy Sane, Kingsley Coman, Thomas Muller and Mathys Tel all left in the summer. Only two players have come in as replacements: Luis Diaz, signed from Liverpool, and Nicolas Jackson, on loan from Chelsea.
With Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies out with long-term injuries, the lack of summer activity earned Bayern some rare criticism from talisman Harry Kane.
The 32-year-old called Bayern’s squad “thin”, adding “maybe one of the smallest I’ve had in my career”.
With four goals and two assists in his opening five games, Diaz has hit the ground running in Germany.
But Chelsea, crowned Club World Cup winners after a dominant display against Paris Saint-Germain in the final in July, are likely to pose a sterner test.
This story is from the September 17, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.
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