Bayern Munich are reportedly growing concerned with the form and fitness of Sadio Mane following his latest poor display in a defeat at Bayern Leverkusen.
The forward was seen as a star arrival at the Allianz Arena in the summer after completing a high profile £35.1million switch from Liverpool.
Yet despite scoring on his debut, the Senegal star has struggled to recreate the form that made him such a feared opponent as part of Liverpool's trio of attacking stars including Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.
German publication Sport 1 are now reporting the German side are growing concerned with the 30-year-old, who has been largely off the pace since returning from the World Cup injured.
The report claims that he seems unfit and rarely wins one-on-one duels - which has been noticed several times in training.
Mane was ruled out of the World Cup on the eve of the competition due to a lower leg injury, which kept him out for three months including Bayern's first seven matches following the tournament in Qatar, having had to undergo an operation.
But he has only produced one assist since and at the weekend was substituted at half-time in 2-1 defeat at Bayer Leverkusen following a woeful display.
There are concerns that the injury has caused long term damage in that he is now past his best with his previous speed and explosiveness having rarely been a feature of his play recently.
But Mane has struggled throughout much of the campaign despite modest stats of 11 goals and five assists across 28 matches for the German side.
However the tactical demands of the forward are also slightly different to what he has been previously used to under Reds boss Jurgen Klopp.
Under the German, he would play as a winger with a supporting full-back, but he is more central in Nagelsmann's system due to the winger duties being largely occupied by rampaging runs from Alphonso Davies.
His last goal for the club came back in October when he netted against Mainz - grabbing two assists in the same game.
uncontested
681
It's Just The matter Of time much Respect For Him
Lebclrtuy
529
He just got back from injury give him time he is not a machine you people
mazemruyz
398
Bro misses the Salah partnership
Sla1091
361
Apologize me my people, myself I knew about it….. but i will do all what it takes after the break & see the outcomes!
AbdulZaks008
282
i said it before and i said it again That Mane is nothing Until Salah come to Liverpool to make him top star. Mo Salah make Mane But blind peoples always says negative
Luciekendrick
261
11 goals 5 assists in 28 games isn't bad . or they want him to be scoring and assisting directly from the dressing room
Topcekoprs
8
i said it before and i said it again That Mane is nothing Until Salah come to Liverpool to make him top star. Mo Salah make Mane But blind peoples always says negative
[image]
Plz, brief us on how salah makes Mane a star.
Alopenu
8
i said it before and i said it again That Mane is nothing Until Salah come to Liverpool to make him top star. Mo Salah make Mane But blind peoples always says negative
[image]
And after this 7 - 0 what was the next....when my Mane was there Liverpool were winning matches and even scoring a lot of goals