Tom Bischof has had an extraordinary start to life at Bayern Munich. Bar an unexpected appendix surgery that sidelined the 20-year-old for the first three games of the Bundesliga and limited minutes, Bischof has put in a series of strong performances in midfield and perhaps more unexpectedly, left-back.
After speculation Vincent Kompany may deploy the Aschaffenburg-born midfielder on the left side of defense, Bischof picked up his first minutes at left-back in Bayern’s Champions League match against Club Brugge. Shortly after, Bischof would earn his first start in the position against Borussia Mönchengladbach. Then, in Bayern’s 3-0 victory against Bayer Leverkusen, it became apparent that Kompany is comfortable using Bischof in left-back after picking up another start. But how comfortable is the former Hoffenheim man in his new position? Very apparently.
“The coach wants to give me playing time through this,” explained Bischof. “I’m taking it well and I’m happy about it, because the position is interpreted more offensively with us. I think I’ll also play on the six again. That’s, I think, still the coach’s plan. But I’m happy as a left-back. I can also go forward sometimes and take a shot at goal, I’m always involved in the attacks. It gives me a tremendous amount of fun to play there.”
Tom Bischof’s transition from midfield to left-back is a win win for him and Bayern. While Bischof likely prefers the number six position, the shift to left-back may prove to be pivotal to the young German’s first team minutes and thus development. For Bayern, Bischof’s versatility offers additional depth in a team that is so often ravaged by injury season upon season.
The sky is the limit for Bischof right now. Left-back or midfield, the most important thing is that the 20-year-old is getting opportunities to showcase his abilities.
