Christian Fruchtl eyes a loan move, wants to be a starter

Christian Fruchtl has enjoyed a successful 2018/2019 campaign thus far with Bayern Munich’s reserve team and the 18-year old has bold ambitions for 2019. The youngster did make the first team bench on a few occasions last season due to injuries to both Manuel Neuer and Sven Ulreich and he very well might have started in Bayern’s 1-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in December of 2017, but he sustained a torn ankle ligament just prior to the contest.

Because of his success with the Bayern reserves and the senior goalkeeping squad places occupied by Neuer and Ulreich, Fruchtl feels that he’s ready to make the next step in his development. In recent interview with Bild, he reflected on 2018 and said he’s looking to make a loan move in 2019 to a Bundesliga or 2. Liga club where he can be the starter. Still, though, he admits that being able to train with Neuer and Ulreich is highly beneficial and that they both give him honest advice when he asks them questions about his future:

That’s right! It is really cool to work with Manuel Neuer and Sven Ulreich. I have a great relationship with both of them and can ask them anything. I get career tips from Manu and Ulle. I ask them what they would do if they were in my position: stay at Bayern or be loaned out. They always give me their honest opinions.

Realistically, Fruchtl said he has his eyes set on the 2. Liga to try and get a loan spell there for 2019, but it’s something that he’s going to have to negotiate with Bayern:

The 2. Liga would be my goal. But I have to agree to terms of a loan with FC Bayern before anything happens. My biggest dream is naturally in the future to be the number one for the Rekordmeister. But first I need to gain high-level match experience.

Fruchtl is incredibly hungry to record his first ever Bundesliga start, whether it be in the top flight or the 2. Liga. He said he’d also accept the fate if Bayern Amateure were to secure promotion to the 3. Liga from Regionalliga Bayern:

My first Bundesliga match. Either in the 1. or 2. Liga. Or in the third, if we are promoted with the amateurs (FC Bayern II.) There I would definitely be heavily criticized. [laughs] I always want to improve. And the most important thing naturally, is that I stay healthy.

Even if Fruchtl doesn’t get a loan move in 2019, he’s got all the right resources around him to continue to grow and develop. For the sake of tradition, it would be especially refreshing to see him continue to succeed for another season or two with the Bayern reserves and then make his break into the first team once it’s time for Neuer to start managing his minutes. If the right loan opportunity presents itself, though, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t pursue it.