Bayern Munich’s Niklas Süle fired up over being made a scapegoat and senseless weight rumors

Bayern Munich defender Niklas Süle is getting sick of seeing his name dragged through the mud. Specifically, Süle was not happy about the public criticism he took for his performance against Eintracht Frankfurt last month.

Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge made a television appearance on ZDF and was critical of his 25-year-old defender’s play against Amine Younes, which resulted in a goal for the Eintracht Frankfurt player.

“Some goals, like the one in Frankfurt I don’t have to the scapegoat for us losing there,” said Süle in an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung (as captured by Tz). “I just see things differently in this particular case. To be admonished for a goal like that, no matter by whom, that bothers me. I didn’t see the TV appearance, and this is not attack on my part against (Rummenigge), to be clear.”

Photo by Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

Süle continued to addressed how the media plays a huge role in the perception of his play.

“If I make a (bad play) against Gladbach, and that is written, I’m the first to say: rightly so. But I don’t have to have everything chalked up to me — and left uncommented on,” the defender said.

If he wasn’t already angry over taking blame on the Younes goal, he progressively worked up to being dismissive over claims that his weight was the reason that Flick held him out of two games in November.

“I wasn’t out of the squad because of my weight. Some chatterbox spread that — and then people assume it,” said Süle, who was coming off of a nine-day quarantine due to COVID-19 at the time. “The nine days of quarantine, during which I was not allowed to do any sports, were a setback. Two days later, I flew to the DFB. I really wanted to be there because it was the last training session in 2020. Maybe that was wrong.”

Süle then detailed the conversation that he had with manager Hansi Flick, who suggested Süle take a slower course of action for his return.

“(Flick) said, ‘The two games (with Germany) have not done you any good.’ And I said, coach, you’re right, I was tired,” Süle recalled.

From there, Süle gave his impression on what conclusion many jumped to about his absence.

“‘Süle’s too heavy again’, that reads well, they talk about it for two months and people laugh,” Süle said. “But it’s not true. I’m at my best weight right now.”

As far as his contract goes, Süle is entering a do-or-die summer for a contract extension with his deal expiring after the 2021/2022 season. The big man believes in himself and has already proven that he can rise up over the noise surrounding him. In this case, some are doubting his ability to be a starter on a backline that will include Dayot Upamecano and Lucas Hernandez.

“I moved to Bayern in 2017 for €20 million. People said, ‘What is he doing there? He’s not going to play a game!’ And I worked my way up and played many, many games. But, I don’t talk about it all the time,” said Süle. “It’s not my style to say something in public before I’ve spoken to my employer. When it’s time, I’ll sit down with my agent and my family, and then I’ll decide what is best for me and my family both from a sporting and a financial point of view.”