Goretzka joined on a free transfer from Schalke 04 in 2018 and became a key player for the Bavarians.
For eight years, Leon Goretzka has been a regular in Bayern Munich’s squad. That will change next season. The midfielder confirmed on Friday morning on Instagram that he will leave in the summer when his contract expires. He has started 16 games in all competitions this season.
Goretzka came through VfL Bochum’s academy before he made the jump to the first team in 2012. After one season in the 2. Bundesliga, he earned a move to Champions League side Schalke 04.
Goretzka spent five years in Gelsenkirchen and established himself as one of the most promising young midfielders in Germany before he eventually signed for record champions Bayern Munich in 2018. Despite steep competition in a midfield that included Joshua Kimmich, Renato Sanches, Corentin Tolisso, and Thiago Alcántara, Goretzka quickly emerged as a key player under Niko Kovač.
The 2019/20 season was arguably his best. Even though he missed much of the season due to injury and Kovač was fired, Goretzka established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world. He famously put on so much muscle during quarantine that fans half-joke that he took steroids.
He made his real impact in Europe, as his strong midfield presence — literally — helped Hansi Flick’s Bayern lift the Champions League. Goretzka played all 90 minutes in the Champions League Final, which Bayern won 1-0 against a star-studded PSG.
What could have been the start of an era ended up being short-lived. Thiago left in the summer, in theory setting up Kimmich and Goretzka as the perfect midfield pairing for the future. However, the ex-Schalke man struggled with fitness all season and made only 25 appearances. At the same time, Bayern took a big step back, exiting the DFB Pokal and Champions League early.
At the end of the season, Hansi Flick left, and Julian Nagelsmann was hired. Despite other midfielders joining, Goretzka was still a regular when available. However, he couldn’t stay healthy. In Nagelsmann’s two years in Munich, he missed a total of 27 games due to injury.
Nagelsmann was soon gone, and Thomas Tuchel took over. As Goretzka struggled for consistency, Bayern signed Konrad Laimer, attempted to sign Palhinha, and Aleksandar Pavlović made the jump to the first team. Tuchel was willing to make big moves, too, and when Bayern controversially fell to Real Madrid at the Bernabéu, Goretzka was watching from the sidelines.
Despite Tuchel leaving, it was clear the midfielder’s time as a key player in Munich was up. His defensive numbers had continued to slide — he averaged nearly half as many interceptions and possessions won per 90 compared to his final year under Flick, while his blocks and tackles numbers had also decreased — and he was only sometimes effective in attack.
The midfielder remained a solid squad player, but that’s not what was expected of one of the club’s highest earners. Manager Vincent Kompany tried to force him out, but despite that and the now-loaded midfield — as Palhinha had finally joined — Goretzka again managed to become a regular starter down the stretch.
This year, his luck has finally run out. The now 30-year-old has started zero games in the Champions League, with Pavlović becoming Kimmich’s midfield partner, as has long been in the works. Tom Bischof, one of Germany’s most promising midfielders, joined on a free transfer from Hoffenheim in the summer. Between David Santos Daiber and Felipe Chavez, there are younger, promising options on the bench.
As Vincent Kompany continues to phase out the old guard, it has become apparent that Goretzka is up next. Reports from all over Europe swirled that he could be sold as soon as January. Then, on Friday morning, it was confirmed that he would stay until the end of the season. Then, he would leave as he joined: on a free transfer.
“I feel a deep commitment to this team and the club,” said the midfielder on Instagram. “Our shared goal is to be back at Marienplatz in May, celebrating the biggest titles together with YOU!”
Leon Goretzka has not been the most popular Bayern player in recent years. His inconsistency, combined with his high expectations and wages, frustrates many fans.
It can’t be denied, though, that he was a crucial player for one of the best teams in the history of the sport. You don’t spend eight years, play 292 games, and win 13 trophies by accident, either. He’ll do his best to add to the latter two over the final few months of his long, successful stay in Bavaria.
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Image via fcbayern.com.
