Gravenberch shines at Liverpool – Bayern has to admit mistakes!

Gravenberch shines at Liverpool – Bayern has to admit mistakes!

In the world of football there are often wonderful stories, but also some bitter lessons. One of them concerns FC Bayern Munich and the talented midfielder Ryan Gravenberch. His path has taken a few twists in recent years that are likely to give the Munich club pause.

Ryan Jiro Gravenberch, born on May 16, 2002 in the Netherlands, has established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. After a promising time at Ajax Amsterdam, where he won three Eredivisie titles, he signed a contract with Bayern in the summer of 2022 for a transfer fee of 18 million euros. But the time in Munich wasn't exactly easy for the young professional. Despite his abilities, he often found himself overshadowed by stars like Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka, which resulted in him not getting the playing time he would have liked. He was only able to win the Bundesliga once with the German record champions before moving to Liverpool in August 2023. The move was made official with a transfer fee of €40 million, with Gravenberch now becoming a key member of the team at the Premier League club.

A success story in Liverpool

Under coach Arne Slot in Liverpool, Gravenberch is now shining like a young star in the football sky. In the 2024/25 season he played a key role in helping the Reds win the English championship. With over 4,000 minutes of playing time and an impressive passing rate of 88.89 percent, he has proven himself as an axis player and made important contributions, including 14 ball wins in just 270 minutes. The 23-year-old player, who stands out both physically and quickly thanks to his height of 1.90 meters, experienced a real boost in performance last spring.

It's interesting to see how career decisions are discussed in the media these days. After Gravenberch's departure, FC Bayern not only had to look for a successor, but also signed Joao Palhinha for 50 million euros. This transfer turned out to be a misunderstanding and the player was later loaned out to Tottenham Hotspur. Without Gravenberch, Leon Goretzka also became less important in Munich's midfield, which makes the impact of the change even clearer.

Mistakes and misjudgments

Foregoing the talented Dutchman will most likely be seen as a mistake at FC Bayern. Gravenberch himself said at the time that he found it mentally difficult to find his way around Munich. Without the support of his parents to accompany him, things may have become even more difficult. It wouldn't be the first time that a top German club underestimated a talented player. The transfer history also shows how various teams try to always have the right hand in the market dynamics.

According to Statista, the transfer market in football is dynamic and, above all, financially demanding. While Bayern once signed Gravenberch for 18 million euros, his market value has now risen to 75 million euros - a sum that illustrates how quickly a player's value can develop. The Gravenberch example could serve as a warning to those responsible in Munich: talented players should not be underestimated when other clubs are ready to take over the reins.

The coming months will not only be exciting for the two clubs Munich and Liverpool. It will also be crucial for Gravenberch to keep his performance stable and continue to act as a key player. Time will tell whether this investment pays off in the long term. Finally, all we can say is that in the world of football there is always room for surprises and developments that can turn the tide.