Robben not deserving of a start, says Basler

Former Bayern Munich attacker Mario Basler has urged manager Jupp Heynckes to drop Arjen Robben from his starting XI.

The former Real Madrid star Robben has been struggling to find his best form this term, and Basler feels that Bayern’s results were better when Robben was unavailable due to injury.

“It’s crystal clear for me after the draw against Hamburg; Arjen Robben has to be dropped from the starting XI,” Basler wrote in his Sport1 column.

“Bayern were at their best before the winter break when the Dutchman wasn’t around due to his injury. He always does the same thing. He gets the ball, cuts inside, and then shoots or loses the ball without tracking back.”

“It doesn’t matter whether he’s a star. It’s all about the team. Bayern could end second or third in the table if they don’t make changes, and that won’t be enough for them.”

Basler feels that Netherlands international Robben is not Bayern’s only problem at the moment, as Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller are struggling as well.

“I am only saying that Bayern are not successful at the moment. They clearly looked better before the winter break,” he continued.

“They are having three problems in my opinion. Toni Kroos is not a holding midfielder, Thomas Muller is looking lost, and there’s the situation with Robben.”

Bayern sit second in the Bundesliga table, trailing leaders Borussia Dortmund by two points.