Why Javi Martinez Is the Forgotten Bayern Munich Player Who Will Explode in 2015

When Jupp Heynckes announced (via Bild, in German) in May 2012 that Bayern Munich needed a new midfielder, it was rather surprising.

The Bavarian giants had lost the Champions League final just four days prior, with striker Mario Gomez proving ineffective and Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben impotent in attack against a depleted and entirely vulnerable Chelsea team. It appeared that midfield was not the problem for Bayern, but rather a lack of nerve.

Yet in the summer that followed, Bayern’s marquee signing would prove to be Javi Martinez, who signed for a club record €40 million transfer fee in late August. The following season, the Spaniard along with Bastian Schweinsteiger would forge one of…