Speaking German is “still difficult,” Kingsley Coman conceded. But on the pitch he already speaks the language of FC Bayern fluently. He has played six matches including three starts. His tally so far: two goals, four assists – not bad for a 19-year-old in his first five weeks at FC Bayern. “I’m very happy. I hope it carries on,” said the Frenchman before he headed off to join his U-21 national squad at the start of the week.
Confident and carefree Coman jumped at the chance to show what he can do and why FC Bayern signed him from Juventus at the end of August. Pep Guardiola praised his “quality in one-on-ones,” while Jérôme Boateng declared: “We’re going to have a lot of fun with him.” Coman said soberly: “I’m happy about every game I get and I always try to make the best of it.”
Coman has impressed as a provider and goalscorer with his sensitivity, precision and determination. Even the France coach has pricked up his ears. “Coman is a very interesting player. We’ve got our eyes on him even if he has a bit of a way to go,” said Didier Deschamps. Coman was clearly happy to hear words like that (“That shows I’m doing something right.”), But he also emphasised that playing for Les Bleus is a long-term target: “I had a good first month but I need to keep on performing before I can think about playing for my country.”
Ribéry: A good lad
So the focus is on FC Bayern where he has fitted in straight away. “It’s a bit calmer here, a bit less strict, the players are less inhibited - and you can see that on the pitch,” he said, summing up his impressions so far. “The management told me I’m more suited to the game here. And they’ve been right up to now,” said Coman who has been employed in his favourite position on the wings.
“He’s a good lad,” Franck Ribéry told fcbayern.de, praising his fellow countrymen. The currently injured winger, as well as Mehdi Benatia, is an important point of contact for Coman as they can communicate with each other in French. “They always have advice for me,” explained Coman. But Ribéry also reported that the 19-year-old has already established contact with the rest of the squad: “I speak to him every day but also to all the others as well. Bayern is a family. That makes it easy for every new player to feel at home right away.”
Coman has also settled in well away from the pitch. He is living with his parents, he revealed. “They cook for me and take care of everything I need.” The 19-year-old describes himself as a “domestic type. I don’t often go out and that was also the case in Turin and Paris. And I also like watching TV series, for example Game of Thrones.” On the pitch Coman is looking to follow up his successful start with lots of repeats. “He’s training every day with great players and he can learn a lot,” said Ribéry, “and he’s done well so far.”
Topics of this article