Marseille, FC Metz, and Bordeaux interested in Bayern Munich’s Michaël Cuisance

According to a report from Foot Mercato, a trio of French clubs have interest in bringing Bayern Munich midfielder Michaël Cuisance in on a loan assignment. The talented 20-year-old has been able to put his skill on display of late, but might be facing an up-hill battle for consistent playing time in Munich.

Per the account from Foot Mercato, Cuisance’s recent performances have further opened the eyes of Olympique de Marseille, FC Metz, and FC Girondins de Bordeaux. Foot Mercato states that Marseille has been following Cuisance for “almost a year”, while Metz made a “concrete approach” for Cuisance over the winter. In addition, Bordeaux is also looking to jump into the mix. Foot Mercato also indicates that all three clubs would be willing to take Cuisance on a loan assignment due to the financials constraints that each organization is facing.

Just 20, Cuisance has made nine appearances across all competitions this season for Bayern Munich’s first-team and has not registered a goal or an assist.

BFW Anlaysis

The COVID-19 induced re-start to the season has afforded Cuisance a great opportunity to make his breakthrough with Bayern Munich’s first-team. For his part, Cuisance has displayed creativity, vision, and an unrelenting willingness to attack. These are all traits that will suit him well in his career.

However, in what can only be construed as feeling the pressure to perform, Cuisance has rushed some of his decisions, forced some plays, and over-hit several quality scoring chances. Still, the youngster’s talent is tantalizing and he appears to have all of the requisite skills to become a solid player for the future. With a more relaxed approach where he trusts his ability, Cuisance could be on the verge of cementing of pushing some of the roster’s veteran players.

The problem, of course, is how to make that happen in an overloaded midfield group in Bavaria.

Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

For all intents and purposes, Hansi Flick’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation features an attacking midfielder/second striker, who is backed up by a double-pivot. Today, the group of players competing for time at those positions includes Cuisance, Thomas Müller, Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Thiago Alcantara, Javi Martinez, Corentin Tolisso, and Philippe Coutinho. While Coutinho will return to FC Barcelona this summer at some point, the futures of Thiago, Tolisso, and Martinez are all uncertain. Each midfielder has been linked to a possible move away from Bayern Munich, while the club is also on high youngsters like Sarpreet Singh and Jamal Musiala. In addition, Adrian Fein is expected to return from his loan stint at Hamburger SV.

Clearly, Flick is not lacking for options in his midfield group and Cuisance might have to consider a loan if both he wants starter's minutes next season. With the pandemic still lingering, however, the Bavarians are no doubt concerned that they could be facing a condensed Bundelsiga, Champions League, and DFB-Pokal schedule next season, which might require the club to carry a bigger roster than they might be comfortable with to help offset the inevitable injuries that will occur.

Interestingly, Flick opted to push Cuisance out to wing for a start last weekend against SC Freiburg, where he was solid with the exception of not being able to finish. If Cuisance can prove to be a player who can fill-in centrally or out-wide, his value to the Bayern Munich roster would no doubt be enhanced.