Hoffenheim’s Sebastian Hoeneß eyeing Bayern Munich’s Angelo Stiller

Bayern Munich defensive midfielder Angelo Stiller turned in a safe, smart, and aggressive performance in the Bavarians’ 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The highly-touted 19-year-old’s contract is set to expire in June, which has naturally caused many teams to take a peek at Stiller. Wolverhampton and Arsenal are among those clubs who have reported shown interest in the defensive-minded midfielder

Per a report from kicker, we can add Hoffenheim to the list as Stiller’s old boss Sebastian Hoeneß allegedly wants to bring him to Sinsheim:

In Bavaria, he is a talent without a big lobby (advocate): Angelo Stiller, a 19-year-old “six” (defensive midfielder) in the record champion’s third-division team. The contract of the Munich native will expire — and the club recently got Marc Roca for the position and Tiago Dantas will also be able to play with the professionals starting from January. Therefore, a change is not out of the question, but possibly on loan. Sebastian Hoeneß has not forgotten Stiller. TSG Hoffenheim is interested per kicker information.

In what seems like an annual discussion, the midfield group at Bayern Munich is a bit overstocked. With Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Corentin Tolisso, Javi Martinez, Marc Roca, and perhaps even Jamal Musiala, Tanguy Nianzou, and Tiago Dantas eventually vying for time at the “6” and/or “8” positions; things are crowded on the depth chart.

Even with Martinez likely leaving next summer and Tolisso’s future in limbo, it could be hard for Stiller to breakthrough with the first-team in Munich.

BFW Analysis

Given Roca’s difficulty in adapting to Hansi Flick’s system so far, it is fair to wonder if Bayern Munich could have saved the €9 million it spent on the Spaniard and just went with Stiller. This is not writing off Roca by any means — he has talent and has a strong chance to eventually be more competitive for playing time — but with just three appearances under his belt and Kimmich and Goretzka entrenched in starting roles, perhaps that fee could have been better spent elsewhere.

Regardless, Stiller showed he is active and willing to get involved in the game as evidenced by his performance against Atletico Madrid where his stat-line looked like this:

• Minutes: 14
• Touches: 16
• Passes: 13/15 (85% accuracy)
• Long balls: 1/2
• Interceptions: 1
• Tackles: 1

(Stats per Sofascore.com)

While not mind-blowing by any means, Stiller was not swallowed up by the moment or the atmosphere.

Just 19, Stiller is a viable prospect, but with those two aforementioned world-class players (Kimmich and Goretzka) just 25-years-old and showing no signs of relenting on their respective starting roles, Stiller is just one of a bevy of talented contenders competing for third place. A contract extension with a subsequent loan might be a good hedge for Bayern Munich, while an outright sale also remains a possibility.