Philipp Lahm would welcome more competition for former club Bayern Munich as they go in search of a seventh straight Bundesliga title.
Bayern kick off the Bundesliga season with a home clash against Hoffenheim on Friday night, and although Niko Kovac has replaced coach Jupp Heynckes, who came out of retirement to deliver the title last season after Carlo Ancelotti was dismissed, they are once again considered strong favourites.
Lahm, who won a record nine Bundesliga titles with Bayern before retiring in 2017, hopes that some of their rivals can run them closer this term.