Bayern Munich felt they had stolen a march on the rest of Europe when they secured Lucas Hernandez to a long-term deal after paying his 80 million euro buyout clause in the summer of 2019, yet just a few months on and the French international has fallen out of favour in Bavaria.
This is a phrase that is perhaps a little strong, or even misleading, with the fact being that Bayern still greatly believe in Lucas' talent, however the issue comes with his ability to stay healthy.
Since November 2018, stretching way back into his Atletico Madrid career, Lucas has played just 27 matches, and on Saturday he suffered his sixth different long-term injury in the space of a year and a half.
His debut season in Germany has been plagued by ailments, and for a 24-year-old this is an alarming sign when you consider the amount of football he has already played in his young career.
Of those 27 matches, only 17 of them have been with Bayern, which is hardly what you'd expect from your record signing.
Lucas arrived in Munich injured and it looks as though he will end his debut season their injured also.
He has faced 184 days of absence through various physical problems this term, and yet again it serves as a warning to clubs purchasing a player in the knowledge they will have to undergo immediate surgery.
Bayern can't afford to carry players, especially as they look to take their domestic dominance back onto the continental stage, and as such there have even been whispers that Lucas could be put up for sale at the end of the season.
Real Madrid held a significant interest in the player after having signed his brother, Theo, but now it's difficult to see clubs taking a risk on a player who was fundamental for Didier Deschamps in France's run to World Cup success in 2018, simply because they don't know how much football they will be able to get out of him.
Below is a list of injuries that Lucas has suffered since November 2018, which collectively have left him with an incredibly uncertain future in Bavaria.
November 6, 2018 (Atletico Madrid):
Myotendinous injury to the adductor muscles of the right thigh. 18 days absent.
December 1, 2018 (Atletico Madrid):
Grade II sprain of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee. 41 days absent.
February 9, 2019 (Atletico Madrid):
Ligamentous distension caused by severe trauma on the inner side of the right knee. 47 days absent.
March 28, 2019 (Atletico Madrid):
Undergoes surgery to the internal ligament of his right knee. 184 days absent.
October 22, 2019 (Bayern Munich):
Undergoes surgery for partial rupture of the internal ligament of his right ankle. 59 days absent.
May 30, 2020 (Bayern Munich):
Discomfort in the adductor muscle. Unclear how long he will be absent as yet.