Julian Nagelsmann has a favorite saying. “Every chance in life has an expiration date”, the FC Bayern coach repeatedly reports. The statement: Don’t hesitate too much and take the chances that come your way.
The Munich squad planners seem to have taken this as an example. On December 27, Daley Blind terminated his contract with Ajax Amsterdam. Nine days later, the 32-year-old defender is approaching Säbener Straße. Opportunity recognized, opportunity seized.
A risk-free deal
It is understandable that those responsible at Bayern did not hesitate long after Blind came onto the market. The key data of the deal are probably the dream of every sports director: Free transfer, half a year contract with a one-year option that you can pull if you are successful. There is no less risk.
Especially since the quarrels that preceded Blind’s contract termination at Ajax will certainly not flare up again on Säbener Straße. The 32-year-old didn’t feel valued anymore, didn’t get along well with coach Alfred Schreud and increasingly sat on the bench. At Bayern, he will certainly submit willingly.
The Amsterdamers probably also wanted to avoid an automatic contract extension for Blind’s Ajax-internal top salaries, which would have taken effect after a few more competitive matches. So the ways parted. Luckily for Bayern.
underestimated
Because they dare almost nothing with a blind, they can still win a lot with him on Säbener Straße: The Dutch veteran fits perfectly into the current requirement profile of the Munich team. As a defensive left foot who can play both in central defense and at the back left, Blind is predestined to fill the gap that opened up when Lucas Hernández (26) ruptured his cruciate ligament.
Of course, the 32-year-old doesn’t have the absolute top quality of the Frenchman, but Blind has repeatedly shown in recent years that he can compete at international level. He was an important part of the Ajax team that advanced to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2019 or made it through the group stage in 2021 with 18 points from a possible 18. At the most recent World Cup, he was a regular player for Oranje and only failed on penalties at eventual world champions Argentina.
With these actions alone, Blind immediately proves that they are at the highest level in the Bundesliga. Getting this for free is only possible in the rarest of cases. Opportunity seized before expiry date passed. Julian Nagelsmann will be happy.
