Bayern need Lewandowski backup: Muller

Bengaluru, December 2: Thomas Muller has asked Bayern Munich officials to bring in a backup striker to Robert Lewandowski as he claimed that the club are currently over-reliant on the Poland international which can be dangerous for the long season.

The Bavarian club currently do not have any backup option for Lewandowski's replacement in the starting XI. Therefore the Poland forward has had to start all 13 Bundesliga games for Bayern this season and has been on the pitch for 1098 minutes, more than any other Bayern player.

The striker recently was sidelined during the international break, missing all of Poland's friendly and that time the 29-year-old suggested that the muscle problem he faced might be linked with his club's lack of a backup striker which has forced him to play almost every matches this season. He also told the club to sign a backup young player who will take away some of the attacking duties from his shoulders.

Muller who has often plied his trade in the striker position now also has suggested the same and claimed Bayern Munich need to find someone to play second fiddle to Robert Lewandowski as it will allow their prolific frontman to rest every few games.

“We have no player who can replace Robert Lewandowski as a striker, being the type of player he is,” Muller told Bayern TV.

However, Muller also admitted that it will be tough to find a player of the same quality who is willing to play second-fiddle to the Polish international.

“On the other hand, as has been said many times in the past, it's complicated to find a back-up, because Lewandowski wants to play all the time,” he added.

'Of course, when I get tired, it's easy to say I could really need a backup right now, but if that's the case, then every three months it's also complicated for 'Mr. Backup'.

'A couple of weeks ago, Lewandowski was having problems and it'd have been good to have a back-up, but when the coach wants to play the back-up every third or fourth game and Lewandowski is fit, that's not a good situation either.

'That's for the club bosses and the coach to discuss and, at the end of the day, make a decision on that matter. It'll definitely be a good decision.'

Lewandowski has been the club's most productive player so far this season and has scored 18 times in 20 matches. But to reduce some pressure off his shoulder the German Champions are now reportedly looking for a new striking option in January and according to reports, Hoffenheim's Sandro Wagner is currently leading the line.