Bayern Munich depth chart for 2026/27 season
Bayern Munich had a relatively successful offseason, bringing in key players to strengthen the squad while selling those not in Vincent Kompany's plan.
This is how Bayern Munich's depth chart might look by the end of the summer transfer window, concluding on September 3.
GK: Manuel Neuer
Backup: Jonas Urbig, Sven Ulreich
Coming into what could be his final season with Bayern Munich, Manuel Neuer retains his number 1 status between the goalposts. However, as many assume, his playing time will be split more evenly with young and up-and-coming star Jonas Urbig. Kompany will use Urbig more in big games this season to prepare the 23-year-old for the starting role he is due to receive imminently.
Sven Ulreich is the reliable third option. Bayern has sold Alexander Nubel and Daniel Peretz this transfer window.
RB: Konrad Laimer
Backup: Josip Stanisic
When healthy, Laimer is likely to be the optimal choice for Vincent Kompany on the right. He has shown last season what he's capable of and was rightly rewarded with a new extension.
Josip Stanisic had a decent last campaign and also the World Cup. The Croatian international still lacks a bit in big matches but is quality enough to rotate well with Laimer this year.
Bayern Munich might move on from Sacha Boey before the deadline strikes.
CB: Dayot Upamecano/Jonathan Tah
Backup: Kim Min-jae/Hiroki Ito
The powerful duo of Upamecano and Tah continues to be Bayern's first choice pairing next season. Both players had a good run-up to next season, especially Upamecano, who proved himself as one of the finest centre-backs in the world at the World Cup.
Kim Min-jae has agreed to stay and take a backup role for Bayern Munich. Next to him is a fellow Asian, Hiroki Ito, a very capable ball-playing centre-back. Josip Stanisic can also fill in if needed.
Some young talents to take notice of at this position include Filip Pavic and Cassiano Kiala, who will be given opportunities occasionally this season.
LB: Nathaniel Brown
Backup: Alphonso Davies
New signing Nathaniel Brown looked so comfortable in the preseason. He bagged two goals for Bayern, one against Leipzig and one against Heidenheim. It is looking likely that he might start at the beginning of the season while Davies finds his fitness. Things can all change throughout this season with the talent these two possess.
Hiroki Ito, Konrad Laimer, Josip Stanisic, Tom Bischof and Maycon Cardozo are wildcards for Bayern at left-back.
CM/DM: Joshua Kimmich/Aleksandar Pavlovic
Backup: Tom Bischof/Bara Sapoko Ndiaye
The only lock in the midfield for Bayern Munich is Joshua Kimmich, whose experience and creative ability are crucial to Kompany's playstyle. The second half of the pivot will be up for grabs this season between Pavlovic and Bischof.
Both Bischof and Pavlovic were phenomenal in the preparation training. They also showed that they can play well together. Pavlovic will likely be the Day 1 starter.
Bara Ndiaye will be an understudy in the midfield this season. He might get some game time in cup matches and start later in the season.
Bayern Munich has confirmed the sale of Joao Palhinha to Benfica.
AM: Ismael Saibari
Backup: Jamal Musiala/Serge Gnabry
Gnabry will be out injured for a little longer. But when he comes back, he will surely get reinstated into the starting XI more regularly.
Musiala is supposed to be Bayern's undisputed starter this season. However, disaster struck when he was diagnosed with a minor health condition this preseason, leaving him questionable for the season. Bambi reassured fans that he will play comfortably this season, but Bayern should put his health first and make sure he's truly healthy.
For now, Ismael Saibari will take the reins at Bayern's number 10. He's had some amazing years at PSV before lighting up the stages in North America last summer. Cannot wait to see what he is capable of with some serious firepower up top.
Lennart Karl is the other serious shout for this position.
Nathaniel Brown, Tom Bischof and Arijon Ibrahimovic have played some minutes at attacking midfield in the preseason. Filipe Chavez is also a youngster to watch.
RW: Michael Olise
Backup: Lennart Karl
Was there any doubt that he would stay? Michael Olise is back at the helm and firing already for Bayern Munich with the assist against Heidenheim. Now one of the superstars of football, Olise will be Bayern's guiding light on the offensive side this season. Unreal player.
Backing him up is another amazing talent, Lennart Karl. He suffered an injury that cost him his World Cup debut, and it seems unlikely that he will play against Dortmund in the Franz Beckenbauer Super Cup. Karl will still take a larger role as Bayern slowly reintroduce him into the lineup following the injury.
LW: Luis Diaz
Backup: Arijon Ibrahimovic
Bayern Munich did not buy a direct backup for Luis Diaz but rather trust academy talent, Arijon Ibrahimovic. After a year at Heidenheim, Ibrahimovic has improved a bit, but still looked quite shaky in his final pre-season matches.
Luis Diaz will do the heavy lifting for Bayern on the left fresh off a crazy debut season.
Ismael Saibari, Serge Gnabry and Jamal Musiala (when healthy) can also fill in on the left flanks. 17-year-old Wisdom Mike can also expect first-team action this year.
ST: Harry Kane
Backup: Ismael Saibari
No doubt Harry Kane will still lead the line for Bayern Munich coming into the season. The Englishman would love to replicate what he did last season with a more fluent offence after a year playing together.
Saibari has taken up the false 9 role for Morocco at the World Cup, and he will be the direct backup for Kane. Nonetheless, his versatility just shows how fluid Vincent Kompany's system can become next season.
