Bayern promote four youth products to first-team

The record Bundesliga champions currently have only two youth products who are among their first-team regulars - Thomas Müller and David Alaba.

Flick, who took over Bayern's coaching duties from Niko Kovac at the beginning of November and will remain head coach until at least the New Year, has made it clear that he wants to promote more of the Bavarians' youth products.

"We've promoted four youth players to the senior team, Joshua Zirkzee, Oliver Batista Meier, Sarpreet Singh and Leon Dajaku," Flick told a press conference before Bayern's metting with Fortuna Düsseldorf on Matchday 12.

"We're convinced that these boys will develop in the best way if they train with the best players. In our first-team, they have the conditions to do that."

Zirkzee, Batista Meier and Dajaku, all 18, will add more depth to the Bayern attack with the trio plying their trade as a centre-forward, winger and striker respectively. Attacking midfielder Singh, 20, is the most senior of the four and has already made six international appearances for his native New Zealand.

Despite Müller and Alaba being the only genuine Bayern youth products in the first team squad, the latest batch of talent will be able to take inspiration from the young players already stamping their authority in the Bundesliga and beyond.

Kingsley Coman (23), Benjamin Pavard (23), Serge Gnabry (24), Joshua Kimmich (24) and Leon Goretzka (24) have all become first-team regulars at Bayern in recent seasons. Canadian 19-year-old Alphonso Davies could prove to be the biggest inspiration having taken his opportunity - with injuries to the Bayern defence - with both hands.

"Alphonso Davies has done his job well," Flick said. "He has incredible speed. He's a young player with lots of potential."

"He's going to be world-class," enthused Bayern's president Uli Hoeneß in an interview with Sport1. CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge added: "You can see how well he's developing and we're all pleased with him."

The Singh-led group of four are now hopeful of being added to matchday squads going forward. Dajaku is the only one of the four to have already made his debut in the Bundesliga, playing twice in the 2018/19 season for VfB Stuttgart.

They all have an eye on being Bayern's next youth talent turned first-team star.