Bayern Munich defender Noussair Mazraoui has been left frustrated after being pushed to the fringes at the Allianz Arena.
The Bavarians fought off Barcelona, Inter Milan and Manchester United for the Moroccan full-back, but he has endured a difficult debut season in the Bundesliga.
Mazraoui appeared to have nailed down his position as the first-choice right-back before the World Cup break, but he contracted COVID-19 during the tournament.
The full-back was diagnosed with a mild inflammation of the pericardium, which saw him miss two months of action before returning in March.
The former Ajax star has found the game time hard to come by since then, falling behind Benjamin Pavard, Joao Cancelo and Josip Stanisic in the pecking order.
Mazraoui hoped for a new lease of life under new head coach Thomas Tuchel but things haven’t improved.
“Of course, I am disappointed with my situation,” the Moroccan told Maximilian Koch.
“Before the World Cup I was in the starting XI – now I’m fit and don’t get any playing time. I’m not even second or third choice.
“It’s too early to talk about my perspective here, but it’s not good.”
Ryan Gravenberch, another Ajax player who moved to Bayern last summer, has also struggled for playing time this season.
The highly-rated Dutch midfielder was touted to make a big impact at Bayern, but things haven’t panned out as he would have expected.
Gravenberch was completely overlooked by former manager Julian Nagelsmann, making only one start in the Bundesliga. He missed out on selection for the 2022 World Cup.
Rumours have been circulating over the last few days that Gravenberch is looking for a way out this summer if his situation doesn’t improve.
Liverpool are keen on the midfielder, but Bayern reportedly have no desire to sell him and believe he can become a regular next season.
