Daley Blind is considered an experienced central defender. He played for Ajax Amsterdam and Manchester United for many years. Image: www.imago-images.de / imago images
Bundesliga
The world championship for Bayern’s central defender Lucas Hernández ran just nine minutes before it was over again for the left foot. The 26-year-old got stuck in the grass during the game between France and Australia, caught his right knee and had to be substituted.
A day later, the devastating diagnosis came: a cruciate ligament tear. The Bayern bosses were then forced to act.
With Dayot Upamecano and Matthijs de Ligt, the record champions would only have two nominal top central defenders. That’s why Bayern reacted and signed Daley Blind. Only the medical check is pending, after which he should travel to the training camp in Doha on Friday.
Blind joins FC Bayern on a free transfer
First, the Dutch newspaper “De Telegraaf” reported about it. Compared to “Sport1”, the commitment of the 32-year-old veteran was even confirmed by the club.
The good thing for Bayern: Blind had terminated his contract with Ajax Amsterdam after the World Cup and is therefore coming to Munich on a free transfer. What led to the termination of the contract is not known. At the time, Blind only announced on Twitter that he would not have imagined his end at Ajax like this.
According to “Sport1”, the Dutch international will initially sign for six months until the end of the season, after which there is an option for another year. If he shows strong performances in the coming months, it would be easy to keep Blind at the club longer.
Blind could be the solution to two problems. On the one hand, he is the clear replacement for Hernández for the second half of the season. Both the Frenchman and Blind can play in central and external defense.
Especially in the strenuous English weeks in spring, when coach Julian Nagelsmann also has to rotate, Blind could replace either de Ligt or Upamecano in the center of defense or help Alphonso Davies to take a break on the left-back.
With 99 caps for the Netherlands, Blind is considered a very experienced player, plus over 300 competitive games for Ajax Amsterdam. He also counts as a strong central defender, which suits Julian Nagelsmann’s style of play.
However, Blind could also help Bayern in the medium term. His signing is a clear sign to Benjamin Pavard. The Frenchman has repeatedly expressed his interest in moving from right-back to central defence. So far, coach Nagelsmann has not allowed this to happen in the long term, and has only occasionally used him there. Due to the blind transfer, it is now clear that Pavard will continue to play on the right.
Blind also in the medium term as a possible defensive all-rounder
That could frustrate the 26-year-old and cause him to leave. The defender still has a contract in Munich until 2024, but announced in an interview with the “Gazetta dello Sport” in November: “I’m ready to evaluate new interesting projects, but as a central defender.”
Instead of fulfilling his wish in Munich, now that Bayern had a shortage of staff, the club bosses preferred to bring blind. Bayern could only collect a fee for Pavard next summer. The 26-year-old himself will not be satisfied with having another central defender put in front of him in Blind.
At the same time, the Dutchman could also be signed in the summer if he convinces in the coming months. Then Hernández would probably be fit again. However, in addition to central and external defense, Blind can also play in defensive midfield. He would therefore be a defensive all-rounder, which would then also make Pavard’s departure possible and bearable for Munich.
Ex-Bayern coach van Gaal full of praise for Blind
Blind has proven time and time again throughout his career just how important he can be to his respective teams. When Manchester United signed him after the 2014 World Cup, then-coach Louis van Gaal proudly said: “I’m glad Daley has signed. He’s a very intelligent and versatile footballer who can play in several positions.”
At the same time, van Gaal described Blind’s abilities back then: “Daley reads the game very well, he has played under my philosophy for several years and will be a great addition to the team.”
“He gives you a million options. You can customize everything around him and he will do a good and acceptable job absolutely anywhere.”
Pat Nevin, former professional footballer and BBC analyst
Former Scotland international Pat Nevin, who currently works for BBC Scotland as a television analyst on football matches, said at the same time it was “great” to have a player like Daley Blind. “He gives you a million options. You can customize everything around him and he will do a good and acceptable job absolutely anywhere.”
After the blind transfer reacted to Hernández’s absence, at least in the short term, the Munich team still need a replacement for the injured Manuel Neuer. The German national player broke his lower leg while ski touring on vacation.
Gladbach’s Yann Sommer is Bavaria’s absolute dream candidate. As “Sky” reports, the player should already agree with the people of Munich. Accordingly, the 34-year-old should sign with the record champions by 2025. Only the agreement with Gladbach is still pending. Borussia only wants to give up Sommer when they have found a suitable successor for the Swiss national keeper.
“He can rely on FC Bayern,” said FCB sporting director Hasan Salihamidžić immediately after the game serious injury to Manuel Neuer. “He will return to the pitch as strong as before,” said CEO Oliver Kahn.
