Chelsea will be aggravated by their past decision to allow Euro 2024 sensation Jamal Musiala to join Bayern Munich for a mere pittance. So far he has been the most outstanding player of the tournament for Germany.
The 21-year-old attacking midfielder was developed by TSV Lehnerz, Southampton and the Blues in his youth, before a reshuffle at Stamford Bridge saw him move to Munich for a reported £170,000 in the summer of 2019. And while it is reported That the west London club will receive a 20% sell-on clause for Musiala if he ever leaves the Allianz Arena, will be a fraction of his estimated market value of over £100m (according to transfermarkt).
While it would have been easy for Musiala to be overshadowed by the likes of Thomas Müller and Leon Goretzka in Bayern’s midfield, the youngster proved his worth by scoring 12 goals and assisting eight others for his team-mates across all club competitions. during the last season.
And he also shows no signs of slowing down at this summer’s European Championship, where he has already scored twice in the group stage. A rocket from the edge of the box would give Musiala his first goal of the competition in Scotland’s 5-1 demolition in Group A, before a clinical finish during Germany’s 2-0 win over Hungary on Wednesday would double your account.
And while Chelsea may feel a wave of regret wash over them as the youngster performs incredibly at Euro 2024, it is reported that they never really wanted him to walk away. In 2019, Musiala believed Bayern would provide him with a clearer path to football’s top flight than the opportunities he would have received in England.
He therefore turned down a new contract with the Blues to move to Bavaria, according to Football.London. And it is not the first time that Premier League hopefuls let top talent escape.
Kevin De Bruyne arrived at Stamford Bridge at the age of 20, following a £7million move from Genk in 2012. But the Belgian would spend his first season on loan at Werder Bremen to allow him to continue developing before playing in the top category. of English football.
José Mourinho would only play as a central midfielder nine times before being sold to Wolfsburg for £18 million in 2014, but as we now know, it wouldn’t be De Bruyne’s last dance in the EPL. After another season and a half in Germany, scoring 20 goals and providing 37 assists, Manchester City came seeking his services, bringing him north for a then club-record £54 million.
Chelsea fans will reflect on what could have been with a top-flight KDB as he instead lifted six Premier League trophies, five League Cups, two FA Cups, an FA Community Shield and a Champions League with Manuel Pellegrini and Pep Guardiola.
Musiala’s decision to leave Chelsea would not be the only difficult task he has faced in his blossoming career to date, with him also having to decide which country to represent in major competitions. Musiala, eligible to compete for England, Nigeria or Germany through his parents, told Sportschau: “I have a heart for Germany and a heart for England, both hearts will continue to beat; I have thought a lot about this issue.
“In the end, I listened to my feelings saying that it was the right decision to play for Germany. But it was not an easy decision for me. I had a very good and honest conversation with (former Germany coach) Joachim Löw. He showed me a clear route towards the national team.
“Mr. Löw has clearly studied and analyzed my strengths and weaknesses. He also sees my future in my strongest position in the attacking midfield and appreciates my qualities there.”
