Perhaps the biggest compliment that can be paid to the form of Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting is that Bayern Munich, according to reports, are having second thoughts about entering the race to sign Borussia Monchengladbach’s Marcus Thuram this summer.
Thuram, in 23 games this season, has 14 goals. And, with his contract expiring, the France international looks destined to become the most high-profile, most coveted free-agent of the year.
But his numbers, while undoubtedly impressive, still cannot match those of a 33-year-old former Stoke City frontman starting regular games, week-in, week-out, for the first time since his brief spell in the Potteries back in 2017/18.
So often the Robin to Robert Lewandowski’s Batman, Choupo-Moting answered the Bayern ‘Bat Signal’ when the prolific Pole departed for Barcelona and is responding with superhuman efforts. The Cameroon international scored his 15th goal in just 17 starts during Sunday’s title-bout with Union Berlin; a clever, looping header which nestled into the top corner.
Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting cannot stop scoring for Bayern Munich
“I’m delighted with the team’s performance. And my goal against a strong opponent,” Choupo-Moting smiles; Bayern taking a three-point lead over Union at the top of the table while remaining level with in-form Borussia Dortmund.
“Our ambition is to win every game. We wanted to show our real face today. We created chances and could have scored more goals.”
Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are just two of the clubs courting Choupo-Moting; both sides in need of some depth in the centre-forward positions (90Min). As such, there was considerable relief in and around Bavaria when it emerged last week, via SportBILD, that Choupo-Moting had reached an agreement to extend a contract which is due to expire in July.
At 33, Choupo-Moting may not be the long-term solution for a Bayern side still coming to terms with life post-Lewandowski. But forget the future. At present, you’d struggle to find many centre-forwards posting better numbers than Choupo-Moting.
No longer is he merely ‘that guy who used to play for Stoke City’. For so long, Choupo-Moting’s place in this star-studded Bayern squad has been the subject of much bemusement. No one should be underestimating one of Eurpean football’s most misunderstood talents anymore.
“Since he has been playing regularly, he’s been in better shape physically,” Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann tells MiaSanMia. “He’s well accepted in the group, he’s a great guy. If he keeps up his diligence, he will also play a major role in the second half of the season.”
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