Former Bayern Munich midfielder Torsten Frings is defending the Bundesliga champions after they came in for criticism after the sale of Ryan Gravenberch to Premier League giants Liverpool.
Speaking to Sport1, the 79-time Germany international did a rather good job of explaining why Bayern Munich opted to cash in on Ryan Gravenberch just one year after bringing him to the Allianz Arena from Ajax.
Gravenberch joined Liverpool on the final day of the summer transfer window.
But while some have wasted no time in questioning that decision – Bayern’s sluggish midfield once again a cause for concern – Frings believes that the Dutchman’s forgottable debut season in Munich is proof that Gravenberch was not the solution to arguably the biggest problem plaguing Thomas Tuchel.
Ryan Gravenberch makes bright start at Liverpool
Liverpool’s deadline day acquisition, after all, started only two of 12 games under Tuchel following his appointment in May.
“It is incomprehensible to many that such a young talent, for whom they paid a lot of money, goes to Liverpool for an unbelievable amount of money,” Frings argues.
“But you also have to understand the coach to a certain extent. If a player doesn’t fit into the philosophy, it might make more sense to tell the player that and then let him decide whether he wants to try and assert himself, or look for an opportunity at another club.”
An assist to his name already
If Frings is right and Bayern moving Gravenberch on was the right call from a sporting perspective, it certainly was when analysing the figures through a financial lens. Bayern made a £10 million profit on a player still unproven at the top level. One who started only six games in all competitions in Germany.
Gravenberch has, at least, started brightly at Liverpool. He grabbed an assist in last week’s 3-1 comeback win over LASK Linz in the Europa League.
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