The offspring of his boss is totally enthusiastic. Nick Salihamidzic, 19-year-old son of Hasan Salihamidzic and Vancouver Whitecaps player, wrote on Twitter after FC Bayern’s 3-2 (3-2) win at Hertha BSC: “Hot take of the day: Choupo is currently the best 9 in the world ?
This refers to Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. The striker is something like “Employee of the Month” at FC Bayern. For a long time he hardly got a chance at Bayern, but now he is very important: he has scored every time in the past seven competitive games and scored nine goals in these games. And ensures that there should soon be talks with sports director Salihamidzic about his future.
In Berlin, Choupo-Moting scored twice within a few seconds shortly before the half-time break. His second goal made it clear what a tremendous run he has, and also the necessary luck: he swung his right leg, kicked wide of the ball, but the play equipment bounced off his left shin into the net.
“You’re always kind of lurking for things to fall at your feet,” said the scorer on Sky. “I threw myself in and scored, I’m happy for myself, but especially for the team.”
“He used to play for the U21s,” said captain Manuel Neuer, who after a seven-game injury break against Hertha was back in charge of Bayern’s goal. That was in 2009. But then Choupo-Moting made competitive appearances for Cameroon. The 33-year-old Choupo-Moting is therefore no longer eligible to play for Germany.
The fact that Neuer regrets this was heard in Berlin on Saturday. “He keeps the central defense busy, that’s very important. So that he binds opponents when we are on the outside or when Jamal Musiala pushes in,” said Neuer. “It is crucial for us that he works the slightly lower chain.”
Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann also highlighted the qualities of Choupo-Moting, who was born in Hamburg, although he does not find the upswing of the attacker, who has long been overshadowed by Robert Lewandowski, surprising.
“He’s important to us as a target player. He binds many opposing central defenders so that we can also start deep runs from midfield. When he’s fit, we know he has exceptional quality and he’s showing it now,” said Nagelsmann. This is a “logical consequence”.
Choupo-Moting’s contract with the German record champions ends on June 30, 2023. After the Winter World Cup in Qatar, which begins on November 20, a decision will be made as to whether his contract will be extended.
There are many indications that Bayern would like to keep him. Club President Herbert Hainer raved about Choupo-Moting at the weekend. The attacker meets Serbia, Brazil and Switzerland in the preliminary round of the tournament. “I’m very, very happy at Bayern and can of course imagine staying here longer,” said Choupo-Moting. So far, he has almost always been on a free transfer, only when he switched from Hamburger SV to 1. FC Nürnberg in 2009 did he cost around 50,000 euros to rent.
He later played for FC Schalke 04, 1. FSV Mainz 05, Stoke City and Paris St. Germain. Compared to other players, he earns relatively little at Bayern, according to rumors two to three million euros a year.
With his goals and assists, Choupo-Moting is said to have aroused the desires of other top clubs. However, the in-form striker emphasized on Saturday evening: “I’m only concentrating on Bayern Munich and on the here and now.”
