Ironically, Süle! Hardly any other sentence is more common at FC Bayern at the moment.
Bayern show unusual defensive problems, only Süle keeps the store together. With Hernández (80 million transfer fee) and Upamecano (42 million) you bought two stars who are not worth the money so far. The central clearer is called Süle. He even scored a goal against Leverkusen on Saturday.
Ironically, Niklas Süle! The bosses’ unloved one. Because he didn’t feel valued in Munich, he announced a free transfer to Dortmund a month ago. Now it looks like Bayern will regret it badly. When I see him playing like this at the moment, the old footballer saying comes to mind: “No man, no animal – the number four!”
A rough saying, which, however, is intended to describe the extraordinary importance of this defensive position, on which the titles are known to be won, with great respect. Always give everything, slide tackle, be disgusting – and merciless!
It was invented for “Katsche” Schwarzenbeck, who also cleared away everything in the back at FC Bayern with the number four on his back for 15 years. The “cleaner from the emperor”. And always without envy. “We all benefited from Franz,” he once said.
Süle gave a similarly modest interview on Saturday. No bad word. Instead: “I’m very grateful.” And he will try everything that his new club Dortmund is only second.
He came from Hoffenheim in 2017 as a national player for “only” 20 million. At 26, he is in the prime of footballer age. Technically better than it often looks. At almost two meters and 99 kilos, the ball looks fragile to him. In terms of top speed, he is one of the top 5 for Bayern.
Bling bling factor? Equals zero. His life with girlfriend and son remains private. And while many brag about Lamborghinis and designer clothes, he doesn’t even have an Instagram account.
What the bosses still complain about: for example that after too many burgers he has to struggle with the 100-kilo mark on the scales. That would never happen to a Lewandowski. On the other hand: After his second cruciate ligament tear, he struggled to get back on. In the 2020 Champions League final against PSG, he came on as a substitute in the 25th minute and secured the treble.
Fans have a keen sense of honest football. Whether a player gives everything for his club or not. There was not a single whistle against Süle, although he is going to arch-rival Dortmund.
The hard-worker mentality is particularly valued there. And there the club’s motto is “Real Love”. It could be that Süle, unlike Bayern, will not regret anything.
