Kingsley Coman says he doesn’t feel pressure now that Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben are gone

Kingsley Coman has had his share of injuries over the past two seasons with Bayern Munich, but he’s determined to stay fully fit this season, especially after both Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery have left the club.

In Bayern’s 1-0 friendly win over AC Milan in Kansas City, Missouri, Coman was on the receiving end of a nasty sliding challenge by Hakan Çalhanoğlu that prompted a furious response from the Frenchman. Alphonso Davies stepped between the two at the last minute before Coman was about to engage in a physical altercation with Çalhanoğlu. Given Coman’s injury history, he certainly wasn’t happy to be fouled in that manner during a pre-season friendly.

In a new interview with Bild, Coman explained his desire to avoid sustaining a serious injury this season after he was asked about the challenge during the Milan match:

I don’t feel the pressure from Ribery and Robben’s departures anymore. Already last season I played in a lot of games and played an important role in the team. ... Admittedly we now have two fewer wing-players on the roster. That means that I cannot get injured, but have to stay fit.

Despite dazzling on the pitch in the USA, Coman argues is not yet in form:

I am not yet at 100%, I have been training to get there for a short time. But in a couple weeks it will be ideal and I’ll be in form. I’m not worried about that.

If Coman’s performances during the Audi pre-season tour in the United States are any barometer for how well he’s going to start this season, things are looking bright for the French winger. He was one of Bayern’s standout players during the tour. If that was Coman at less than 100%, then we’re certainly in for a treat this season.

When asked about the potential transfer of Leroy Sané from Manchester City, Coman described the German winger as a “great, super” player, whom he would love to see come to Bayern:

We could surely use him or another wing-player. I think Sané is a great, a super player. Of course I hope that he comes.

It’s safe to say that most Bayern fans have already been salivating at the prospect of having Sané, Coman, and Gnabry as the club’s main wingers. It’s also refreshing to see that Coman feels no added pressure just because Ribery and Robben have both left, leaving a void in Bayern’s depth for natural wide midfielders.

Photo by M. Donato/Getty Images for FC Bayern