Where Does Thomas Muller Lie In Carlo Ancelotti's Bayern Munich Team?

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Thomas Muller will struggle to become an established part of Bayern Munich’s best team over the second half of the season because there is no obvious place for him in Carlo Ancelotti’s system. That is, according to Bayern and Germany legend Lothar Matthaus, 90min reports.

Muller has been in and out of the team during the first half of the campaign and has often been substituted before the 70 minute mark when he has started games.

As such, the 27-year-old’s goal tally is way down. He enjoyed the most prolific season of his career in 2015/16 with 32 goals in all competitions, but has just four to show for the first half of 2016/17. Only one has come in the Bundesliga, while another was in the Super Cup.

“For Thomas Muller, it will be very difficult to find his place in Bayern’s first XI, because there is no right position for him because Carlo Ancelotti’s system.” Matthaus commented in a column for SportBild.

So far this season, Muller has been used wide on the right, both in a midfield and forward role, as well as high on the left, as a ‘number 10’ and through the middle as a central striker.

His strongest position has typically been coming from the right, but Matthaus believes he isn’t the best option to play there, or in his other favoured area of the pitch.

“Arjen Robben is a stronger player on the right wing,” the 1990 World Cup winner explained.

“He also doesn’t fit in the 4-2-3-1 system as an attacking midfielder behind (Robert) Lewandowski. I see Thiago (Alcantara) in this position. He played was good in the first half of the season and is also more flexible than Müller.”