Former Bayern Munich star Mehmet Scholl has slammed the recently crowned European Golden Boy Renato Sanches for his use of the ball, suggesting he slows the team down and keeps possession for too long.
Scholl played for the German giants 330 times, and now manages the club's second team. He has spent time watching the Portuguese international both in training and in Bundesliga matches and according to German news outlet ARD, viaFourFourTwo, believes that Sanches still has a lot to learn in terms of his use of the ball in build-up play.
BREAKING: Bayern Munich's Renato Sanches has won the European Golden Boy award [@MailSport] pic.twitter.com/Sw64KCHVD2
"Bayern plays well at the back and also in defensive midfield," Scholl said.
"Then there is Renato Sanches, who always keeps the ball too long. He never plays directly, he always wants to have some idea himself."
The comments were made after Munich's 3-1 victory in the DFB-Polkal against Augsburg on Wednesday, and Scholl admitted that he fears the current crop of youngsters are not good enough to eventually replace the likes of Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben in the near future.
"These players were bought to replace Ribery and Robben one day," continued Scholl.
"But I don't think they will be able to [do so] in the near future. I consider this a problem. I don't see it with KingsleyComan, Sanches or Douglas Costa, either."