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If there was one young player who could officially be declared a winner from Bayern Munich’s preseason, it is versatile defender Josip Stanisic.
Just 21-years-old, Stanisic has the ability — and skillset — to contribute at right-back, left-back, center-back, and as a defensive midfielder. Stanisic also has the type of versatility that makes innovative coaches like Julian Nagelsmann giddy.
Per Sport1’s Florian Plettenberg, Stanisic performed so well over the past few weeks that he had leapt over former Reading FC full-back Omar Richards on Bayern Munich’s internal depth chart:
Update #FCBayern: Josip Stanisic currently has the best cards to be in the starting 11 against @borussia as a left-back. Internally, he is currently rated stronger than Omar Richards. Süle's training performance is currently rated very well. He is dueling with Nianzou. @SPORT1
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) August 6, 2021
Stanisic made one appearance under Hansi Flick last season in Bayern Munich’s 1-1 draw with Union Berlin back in April where he played left-back. Stanisic was very impressive in the contest and has apparently worked hard to continue asserting himself as a player who deserves a look with the first team.
Should Alphonso Davies be unable to face Borussia Mönchengladbach in Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga opener next week, Stanisic could get the call.