“Untransferable”. This is how Karl Heinz Rummenigge has always publicly considered Robert Lewandowski and thus has recently declared Kingsley Coman. The French winger came from Juventus in 2015-16. As a loan, first, and finally in exchange for 21 million euros in the summer of 2017. The quality of the Parisian has never been doubted, but a doubting physicist questioned his progression. The perennial presence in the infirmary made Kingsley think of premature retirement at 22. Now, two years later, not even the arrival of Leroy Sané has taken away the untouchable sign.
“Kingsley is not for sale”. This is how blunt Rummenigge has been, in statements collected by Bild, when asked about the future of his player. The role of the Bayern legend has been essential for Coman to leave the questions behind and only talk about his performances on the pitch and not his absences. At 19 years old and with Robben and Ribéry in the team, the role of the young Kingsley, on loan, was none other than to shake from the bench and give rest to the then Bavarian stars. The injuries did not let him shine and, despite this, in Munich they always showed confidence in their aptitudes. That is why they took him property.
“Maybe I'm not cut out for this”
However, just a year after the definitive signing, the aforementioned doubts of our protagonist arrived. Coman had just missed the 2018 World Cup final due to a ruptured syndesmosis ligament, which had already made her miss two and a half months of soccer shortly before. At that time, the young footballer wondered if his physique was prepared for the highest level. “I will not accept another operation”, he was sincere in his country. “When I was injured it was the end of the world for me, now that I had put everything in order (…). Maybe my foot is not made for this and I should lead a different, anonymous life”, pointed to Téléfoot.
Those words made react to Rummenigge. “When I found out, I tried to talk to him,” recalls the Bayern CEO in Bild. “I hugged him and told him that injuries, especially in modern football, are part of the game and not to worry too much, because our medical department would do everything possible to get him back. in top shape. Fortunately, it was. “
Kingsley Coman scoring the only goal in the final of the last Champions League against PSG.
POOL (REUTERS)
The physical problems have not completely disappeared. However, since he returned from his last major mishap in February, a knee capsule injury, consistency has accompanied him. Apart from some muscular problems that made him be on the bench in the quarterfinals and semifinals of the last Lisbon Champions League, only the coronavirus has interposed between Coman and the pitch. In the highest continental competition, he returned in time to score the goal of his team's victory against PSG (0-1).
Above Sané
This season began with an obstacle that, although it was not physical, it seemed that it would be an impediment to enjoy much greater minutes: the signing of Leroy Sané. The former City player shares a position with the Parisian, far left, and arrived with the band of one of the players with the best present and the brightest future on the old continent. However, with face physique, Coman is prevailing in the race for ownership and adds 899 minutes to 679 'for Leroy. 5 goals and 8 assists (for the German's 5 and 3) and a feeling of stability that makes it difficult for the Munich star signing of the summer to win the position that seemed to bear his name.
Rummenigge is clear: “Kingsley is a total player today and tremendously valuable to Bayern. He often makes a difference, especially when it matters.”. For this reason, he has closed the door in the face of Manchester United before the incipient rumor that the Bild. Like Lewandowski, Coman is non-transferable. Something that a Kingsley must boast of when he sees how there was more light at the end of the tunnel than he expected in 2018.