‘We don't do that at FC Bayern’ — Club boss mocks Chelsea for ‘stealing jersey numbers’

Raheem Sterling did not make Chelsea's squad against Man City (Credit: Imago)

‘We don't do that at FC Bayern’ — Club boss mocks Chelsea for ‘stealing jersey numbers’

Ayoola Kelechi 15:44 - 24.08.2024

Chelsea have become the butt of jokes thanks to their overpopulated squad

Bayern Munich's sporting director, Max Eberl, recently trolled Premier League giants Chelsea over the size of their squad while discussing Bayern's recent transfer business, contrasting the Bavarians’ approach with The Blues' chaotic approach.

Eberl criticises Chelsea's oversized squad

The Bayern Munich director, while explaining the rationale behind the decision to sell star defender Matthijs de Ligt to Manchester United, couldn't resist taking a jab at Chelsea's bloated roster, saying, "When you plan a squad, you obviously want to have a squad free of injuries. Inflating a squad is not good.

Matthijs de Ligt and his wife AnneKee Molenaar | Instagram

“We have a good squad size and we want to give our young players the opportunity to show what they can do at the top.

"You can go through the season like Chelsea with 44 players, but that becomes difficult for the coach to manage. Then you have to steal jersey numbers, but we don't do that at FC Bayern."

Bayern hoping to avoid Chelsea's struggles

Unlike Chelsea, Eberl explained how Bayern Munich want to approach squad management, adding, "We have to make decisions where we feel we can have the greatest possible success. That's squad planning, then we spend money, then you as a club have to earn money too.

Bayern Munich Sporting director Max Eberl | Imago
Bayern Munich Sporting director Max Eberl | Imago

“We spoke to the players very transparently and then made decisions, and that's how we got the squad we have now."

Max Eberl presents the cake to Michael Olise during his presentation as new Bayern Munich player.
Max Eberl presents a cake to Michael Olise during his presentation as new Bayern Munich player. (Photo Credit: Bayern & Germany/X)

Chelsea has been grappling with a puffed-up squad, with 33 players currently listed as part of their first team and additional players training separately from the main group ahead of potential summer moves.

Manager Enzo Maresca recently downplayed concerns about the squad's size, but there still appear to be serious issues with the number of players that the coach will have to deal with.