Why Thomas Müller is perfect to lead Germany's Olympic bid

The legendary one-club man this week received the backing of both Germany head coach Joachin Löw and DFB director of national teams and academies Oliver Bierhoff.

It is clear why the 59-year-old Löw - who led Germany to 2014 FIFA World Cup glory with the Bayern man at the core - believes “it’s definitely a possibility” that Germany U21 coach Stefan Kuntz will pop Müller on the plane to Japan.

"I met [Germany U21 coach] Stefan Kuntz before Christmas and we discussed a few things. The European Championships and Olympics are coming up, two big events. He gave me a few names that could be an option for him. It's his decision,” said Löw.

Watch: All of Thomas Müller's 11 assists for Bayern Munich in the Hinrunde

“There's still time, and all the ideas he mentioned were exciting. Müller's on the [WADA] doping list, which you have to hand in early.

Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels likewise saw their Germany careers curtailed by Löw last year but of that trio, Müller is the one with the strongest case.

Unlike Müller and Hummels, Boateng has been left off the potential squad list handed over to WADA having slightly slipped down the Bayern pecking order after the impressive arrivals of Niklas Süle and Lucas Hernandez. And their moves to the Allianz Arena will have played their part in Hummels moving back to Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2019.

But Müller’s place has not been under such threat. The incredible development of Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman over the past two years have occurred alongside Müller, while the loan transfers of Philippe Coutinho and Ivan Perisic also haven’t been enough to dislodge him.

And his form this season - the 12th of Müller’s professional career with Bayern - has been better than any other of his previous campaigns at the same stage.

Müller has a league-leading 11 assists to his name already, the record-most in Bundesliga history after 17 games of any Hinrunde. He’s contributed a further two league goals, plus another two strikes and two more assists in five UEFA Champions League appearances as Bayern became only the seventh team in history to win all six group games in a single season.

And it’s not only his imperious form that makes Müller such an appealing pick for Kuntz, as highlighted by Bierhoff.

"Of course it's interesting to take older players with you. Firstly because of their quality and secondly their experience,” said the former Germany international. “I told Stefan before that he could make full use of it, and Thomas Müller is one of those players.

“We shouldn't rule out any former international. Thomas Müller is a world-renowned name. Stefan has to think about it."

The 57-year-old tactician is permitted just three over the age of 23 (born before 1 January 1997) in his final 18-man squad, meaning he must choose wisely from his over-age candidates. His options may be fairly limited too, with Germany’s seniors in action at UEFA Euro 2020 in June and July.

With the men’s football event at the Olympics starting on July 22, just 10 days after the European Championships final, no player will be expected to participate in both tournaments.

So the availability of a man with 100 caps and 38 goals for the national team, that won the 2014 FIFA World Cup and has more World Cup goals (10) than any other active player, is immensely attractive as Germany aim to turn their 2014 silver medal into a gold one this time around.

In Müller they would also be able to call upon a player with 112 Bundesliga goals from 335 appearances in Germany’s top-flight, who is an eight-time Meisterschale winner and has lifted five DFB Cups, as well as the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup trophies.

There are few players in the history of football to rival such a haul and Müller has accomplished all of that at just 30 years of age.

An Olympic gold medal would be some addition to that collection, as well as the possibility of featuring in the German Olympic contingent alongside wife Lisa - who is in the reckoning for a spot on the country’s dressage team.

As Müller puts it himself, that is a “cool” prospect.

“I have very big goals with Bayern in the next five months. My wife has her sights set for now on other tournaments, so the Olympics is still very far away,” he told Sport1. “But if one can dream a whole lot, of course that’d be something really cool.”

It would also give Müller the opportunity to prove he is still more than capable at the highest level, meaning there is a great deal of incentive to entice a hungry Müller into the fold.

A hungry Müller with a point to prove could be just what Kuntz needs to secure German football its first Olympic gold since East Germany became champions at the 1976 Games in Montreal.