Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer thinks the competition on the backline will be fierce next season

Bayern Munch goalkeeper Manuel Neuer allowed more goals this season than he ever had before.

In all, Neuer allowed 55 goals in 42 appearances across all competitions this season. The 35-year-old did tally 14 clean sheets, but was often the victim of sloppy and inconsistent defending from Bayern Munich’s backline.

That defensive corps will be getting a bit of a reboot for the upcoming season, however.

David Alaba and Jerome Boateng have left the club, while Dayot Upamecano and Omar Richards have been signed. In addition, the Bavarians could see the return of prized prospects Chris Richards and Lars Lukas Mai to Säbener Straße — if the duo is not sold or loaned away.

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With all of that change — including a bigger, more consistent role for Lucas Hernandez and the possibility of a new formation under Julian Nagelsmann — Neuer knows the jockeying for playing time will be more competitive than ever among the defenders.

“Every departure is an opportunity for a new era,” said Neuer in an interview with the club website. “At FC Bayern we always have the skills to put out a top defensive line-up. It’ll be a challenge. The competition for places will be very interesting.”

The fascinating plotline for the defenders is seeing what formation Nagelsmann will run. If he opts for a back-three, we could see the roles for some players swing in a different direction and potentially see some other players given more opportunities.