feels Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery are on the
decline and has urged the Bavarians to bring in
adequate replacements for the experienced duo.
Both Robben and Ribery signed new contracts until
June 2018 earlier this season and will stay at the
Allianz Arena for one additional season, but
Hamann believes it is crucial for Bayern to start
working on long-term replacements.
"The wide positions are the ones where Bayern
need to act most. Robben and Ribery are still world
class, but their performances have been declining,"
Hamann told AZ.
"They are simply getting older. Bayern need
alternatives, players who can go for the one-on-
one action. That way you create space elsewhere
on the pitch. That is how Bayern have been so
successful, Robben and Ribery have made the
difference.
"But there are not an awful lot of players who can
make the difference at this level. Alexis Sanchez
could be an option."
Bayern have already brought in the likes of
Douglas Costa and Kingsley Coman in recent years,
but Hamann is not convinced the Brazil
international is good enough for the Bundesliga
champions.
"When Douglas Costa joined Bayern, he was on top
of his game and had six good months. But that
was it for him," Hamann added.
"Robben and Ribery have done it at the highest
level for 10 years. When you are unable to perform
every three days, you are not good enough for
Bayern. Costa's agent is often talking about
interest from other clubs and Bayern do not like
that. There will be English teams who do not mind
paying a lot of money for him. I can see him leave
Bayern.
"I think Coman has more potential than Costa. We
will have to wait to see if Carlo Ancelotti can
improve him and give him enough playing time and
develop him into a top player. Coman has the
potential to follow in the footsteps of Robben and
Ribery."
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