How the Bundesliga champions could line up in 2022/23

In the latest of a number of blockbuster moves that have already been agreed upon this summer, Sadio Mane will soon become a Bayern Munich player.

It was revealed on Friday that liverpool had signed a £35m deal which will see the 30-year-old Senegalese superstar head to the Bundesliga.

Having joined Southampton for £33.5million in 2016, Mane has spent the last six years playing on the wing at Anfield. However, it seems unlikely that he will fill that same role at the Allianz Arena next season.

The reality is that the reigning German champions are full of options in wide areas. Although Bayern fans may be salivating at the thought of watching Mane stretch defenses across the Bundesliga from the left flank, the Bavarian giants look set to demand a more central role for their new man.

Mane to replace Lewandowski?

Despite having a year to run on his current deal, prolific Bayern frontman Robert Lewandowski has publicly declared that his time with the club is over.

The 33-year-old Poland captain is apparently keen on a move to Barcelona, ​​although other suitors may still enter the race for his signature.

MUNICH, GERMANY – APRIL 12: Robert Lewandowski of FC Bayern Muenchen appeals to referee Slavko Vincic after being shown a yellow card during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final match between Bayern München and Villarreal CF at Football Arena Munich on April 12, 2022 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

Regardless of where Lewandowski’s future lies, it looks increasingly likely that he won’t feature for Bayern again.

Author of an impressive 35 goals in 34 Bundesliga appearances last season, a departure from Lewandowski would leave Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann with a serious void to fill.

Fortunately, Mane has already proven his ability in a central position for Liverpool, having been forced into the left side when Luis Diaz arrived on Merseyside in January.

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How Bayern could line up in 2022/23 with Sadio Mane in the side

When Mane finally joins his new Bayern team-mates, he won’t be the only new face in training either.

Moroccan right-back Noussair Mazraoui and Dutch midfielder Ryan Gravenberch will both join Ajax ahead of the new campaign.

Mazraoui, 24, is backed to fit into Bayern’s back four, alongside Alphonso Davies and French duo Dayot Upamecano and Lucas Hernandez.

Alphonso Davies in action for Bayern Munich
MUNICH, GERMANY – DECEMBER 17: Alphonso Davies of FC Bayern München runs with the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and VfL Wolfsburg at Allianz Arena on December 17, 2021 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

Naturally, legendary shot-stopper Manuel Neuer retains his place in the Bayern goal.

Gravenberch might find life more difficult at the Allianz Arena and might have to exercise some patience before moving Joshua Kimmich or Leon Goretzka to the center of the park.

Bayern Munich aligned with Mané

As much as we’d like to see Lewandowski and Mane on the same side, that just doesn’t seem to be on the cards at the moment.

Hence, Mane is given the centre-forward role in Lewandowski’s supposed absence.

Serge Gnabry is another Bayern player whose future looks uncertain. The former Arsenal winger has just one year left on his current contract – and has yet to agree an extension.

Sadio Mane’s ultimate quiz: How well do you know the Senegalese superstar?

While Bayern could benefit from the 26-year-old this summer, Nagelsmann is not keen on losing a player who contributed 17 goals and 10 assists last season and has already insisted he was “confident” Gnabry would stay.

With that in mind, we’ve included him on the right wing, facing Kingsley Coman on the left. However, should Gnabry’s status change, both Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sane are capable replacements.

Bayern are currently on a 10-game winning streak in the Bundesliga. Looking at the squad sheet above, it’s hard to say they won’t go 11 in a row in 2022/23.

Tielemans to Arsenal close in (Last via The Football Terrace)

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