During the Summer of 2022, Ryan Gravenberch, a then-20-year-old slimly framed deep-lying playmaker, was among soccer’s most exciting emerging talents.
Despite speculation that the Amsterdam-born midfielder could make moves to European giants AC Milan or Liverpool, who’d just come off the back of a near-perfect season, where they were just two games away from completing an unprecedented quadruple, Gravenberch joined the Bundesliga’s most successful club, Bayern Munich for $19.43M.
It seemed a smart move for Gravenberch and Bayern Munich; those who came across the Dutchman during his 21/22 season for Ajax were mesmerized by his deceptive body feints and intricate footwork frequently displayed in the Eredivisie and Champions League.
Given the Bavarian superpower’s prolonged Bundesliga dominance, they usually possess the luxury of testing younger players out against seemingly lesser opposition in the league. It creates an environment for their youthful talents to play with a level of freedom other top clubs can’t afford.
Struggles at Bayern Munich & Liverpool
Despite eventually winning the title, Bayern Munich struggled throughout the 22/23 campaign. Developing young players such as Gravenberch was never a top priority for under-pressure coaches Julian Naglesman and Thomas Tuchel.
Gravenberch made just 24 Bundesliga appearances for Bayern. The manager, the supporters, and Gravenberch himself agreed the 6ft1″ midfielder was better off elsewhere.
During the summer of 2023, after completing an eyebrow-raising $41M move to Liverpool, a beaming Gravenberch arrived at Anfield, believing then-manager Jurgen Klopp was the man to help him recapture the form displayed during his early Ajax days.
But the 23/24 campaign was frustrating for Gravenberch; while fellow summer signing Alexis Mac Allister flourished in the deeper areas of Liverpool’s midfield, Gravenberch never really convinced Klopp or the Liverpool faithful.
Concerns…
Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/why-ryan-gravenberch-finally-realized-his-potential/
Author : Euan Walsh
Publish date : 2024-09-29 21:47:17
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