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Today is the day that we all could see coming for Jan Kirchhoff. Today, Bayern Munich announced that the centerback/defensive midfielder has been loaned to Schalke 04.
It's official: #FCBayern have loaned out Jan #Kirchhoff (22) to Schalke 04 for a year and a half.
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) December 27, 2013
The length of the loan, 18 months, is what will probably come as the biggest shock to people, but it makes sense in that it will allow Jan to work himself into a European quality (Note: I said European, because I'd be surprised if they made next season's Champions League at this point.) team. At the end of the loan agreement, the plan is for Kirchhoff to return to Bayern for the remaining year of his deal.
I'm not convinced of just how much of a future Kirchhoff has at Bayern under Pep Guardiola. We'll definitely get our answer if Bayern make a move this summer for another central defender. Though, it should be noted that the majority of Kirchhoff's appearances this season came the midfield. We've seen that Guardiola isn't afraid play Diego Contento, Rafinha, or Javi Martinez in central defense ahead of Kirchhoff.
Do you like the move for Kirchhoff and FC Bayern? Have we seen the last of him in Munich?
