Last week, Alan Shearer stated that Anthony Gordon wouldn’t fit into Bayern Munich’s lineup. Yet, this could be said for any winger from England. Players like Michael Olise and Luis Diaz illustrate how moving beyond the Premier League, particularly to a club like Bayern in Germany, can elevate both reputation and performance.
It’s no surprise that Harry Kane, who rounds out Bayern’s formidable attacking trio, is already enjoying his highest scoring season in his professional career. With 54 goals to his name, Kane also enhances the abilities of Olise and Diaz, who have collectively netted 101 goals this season. Each scored during last Tuesday’s thrilling 5-4 loss against Paris Saint-Germain. Currently, Kane and Olise are frontrunners for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
Therefore, the notion of “not getting in the team,” as Shearer suggested during the Champions League semi-final in Paris, wouldn’t discourage Gordon—and it shouldn’t. Ambitious players are drawn in rather than intimidated. Daily Mail Sport has learned that Bayern and Newcastle have initiated contact, albeit still in exploratory discussions. Newcastle is aware of what would entice Gordon this summer, and it’s clear that Bayern is among those attractions.
The attacking prowess on display at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday promises to surpass anything seen in the Premier League, where depth has become a limiting factor. In Germany and France, elite teams attack relentlessly, without relying heavily on set-piece strategies. Their instinct is to continuously pressure the opponent’s goal.
This is why the nine-goal spectacle at Parc des Princes was so captivating. It underscores Gordon’s earlier admission this season, as he expresses a preference for an overseas move should he depart Newcastle.
Contact has been made between Bayern and Newcastle about Anthony Gordon – albeit at an exploratory stage
“The Premier League has become more physical than I’ve ever experienced,” Gordon remarked. “In the Champions League, the focus is on playing real football. In contrast, the Premier League now sees more long throw-ins—it’s slower and heavily set-piece oriented.”
All of the above should serve as a warning for those associated with the Premier League. The last season involving Olise, Diaz and Gordon, in 2023/24, saw the latter outscore the two men now in Munich. Gordon’s numbers, domestically at least, have since regressed, while he has thrived in the Champions League. In April of that same season, it is interesting to note, Diaz and Olise were both hooked before the 68th minute the last time they shared a pitch in opposition, when Crystal Palace won 1-0 at Liverpool.
Two years on and, as the tone of Shearer’s light-hearted indignation suggested, the Bayern wingers are streets ahead of the one who remains in the Premier League. The defection of Kane, Olise and Diaz has bettered them all. On Wednesday, they play in the match that will captivate a continent, and they are the headline act.
‘It’s amazing to train every day with those guys, that quality,’ said defender Jonathan Tah after Tuesday’s session had finished. ‘They challenge you every day. I prefer to watch them kill another defender, but it helps me in training when they try to kill me.’
Kompany was then asked how does a coach contain the threat of Kvaratskhelia, Dembele and Doue, but he shot back: ‘I thought you would say how do you solve it against Kane, Diaz, Olise and Musiala!’
Michael Olise and Luis Diaz are proof that life beyond the Premier League will enhance reputation
Olise revealed in January that his passion away from football is chess, yet there is nothing slow or methodical about him and Bayern. They move forward with the speed and directness of a checkers champion, and that approach will not change for this second leg.
‘It’s still about making sure you score one more goal than the opponent,’ said Kompany, when pressed for a game-plan. ‘To do it without conceding, that’s the best, to win 4-0! But…’
The Bayern boss then tore up the traditional notion of pragmatism. ‘It is pragmatic to win a match, however you do it.’
It might not be easy to get in this Bayern team, but it sure would be hard to resist giving it a go.
