Bayern Munich legend Thomas Muller has made serious criticism of the way young footballers in the country have been developing in recent years. According to him, German football is gradually losing one of its greatest advantages - the ability to build world-class players, reports Bavarian Football Works.
Muller believes that more and more young talents are focusing on early transfers abroad, instead of first establishing themselves in the Bundesliga and gaining the necessary experience. According to him, this often slows down their development and puts them under enormous pressure at the beginning of their careers.
„Talent alone is not enough. Patience, the right environment and enough playing time are needed. "If young players skip important stages of their development, the risk of not developing their potential is very high," commented Muller.
The former German international also drew attention to the work in academies, urging clubs to place greater emphasis on the individual development of players, and not only on results in youth championships. According to him, German schools must once again start creating players with individuality and leadership qualities.
Muller's statement comes against the backdrop of ongoing discussions about the future of German football after several disappointing performances by the national team at major championships. In recent years, the German Football Association has undertaken a number of reforms in the system for training young players, but according to the 35-year-old veteran, the process must continue.
Thomas Muller is one of the most successful German footballers in history. In addition to the 2014 World Cup, he has won numerous championships with Bayern Munich, two Champions League titles and over 700 official matches for the Bavarian club. It is his wealth of experience that makes him believe that Germany has enough talent, but needs to find the right model to develop it as effectively as possible.