Bundesliga
Niklas Süle: "I want to become the best centre-back in the world"
Niklas Süle has revealed how he turned down offers from English Premier League clubs in favour of a move to Bayern Munich, where he hopes to one day realise his goal of becoming the world's best central defender.
Süle joined Bayern in July 2017 following a breakout season under Julian Nagelsmann at Hoffenheim.
The 24-year-old has gone on to make 93 appearances in all competitions for the club, breaking up the 2014 FIFA World Cup-winning defensive partnership of Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels on his way to lifting back-to-back Bundesliga titles, and feels fully vindicated by his decision to join the record champions.
"I thought about going to the Premier League [in 2017], but I saw the move to Munich as the best step," Süle told DAZN.
"As you can see, I’m very happy at Bayern. Not only because I’ve managed to play my way into the first team, but because the club, fans and my teammate are all great."
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At home in the company of Germany’s record champions, Süle says he has big plans for the future.
Liverpool’s 2018/19 UEFA Champions League-winning defender Virgil van Dijk was recently crowned Europe's best player in 2019, but finished third behind Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the FIFA Best Player stakes. Süle is hoping to emulate the Dutchman in more ways than one.
"I want to become the best centre-back in the world," he affirmed. "I also want to win the Champions League and win one or more important titles with the national team."
Süle - a 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup winner - insists Bayern provides him with the best possible platform to achieve his lofty objectives.
"I have developed a hell of a lot since since moving to Bayern, and the pressure here only makes you better," the 22-time Germany international continued.
"As a centre-back, you only win through playing games and experience. I just need to keep playing at this level."