Let’s start off with the most mind-bogglingly impressive fact about Kingsley Coman’s trohy-laden professional career so far.
Whether it be PSG, Juventus or Bayern Munich, he is nine out of nine for league titles won. He hasn’t missed out. Not once. Not even the season he played just once for Juve before going on loan to Bayern, thus winning two titles in one season.
And with Bayern currently top of the Bundesliga, it’s likely to be ten out of ten by May. Quite the bug to catch.
Kingsley Coman has won nine out of nine domestic league titles in his professional career
The Frenchman also won the Champions League last season, scoring the winner in the final
While it’s accurate to state that those three teams have completely and utterly dominated in the past decade domestically, it’s still an incredible record.
Individually, having played back-up roles in Paris and Turin, Coman has really come on leaps and bounds in the past two years at the Allianz Arena, where he has been a key cog in an all-conquering winning machine.
Last season was the pinnacle, with a well-deserved treble. Coman was the hero in the last match, the Champions League final against PSG, netting the only goal with a clinical header at the back post.
Yet contract negotiations with Bayern have stalled at the present moment.
Not a major problem, with two years left on his deal come the summer, but it may present a conundrum for Bayern bosses who might want to cash in on the France international.
Chelsea are the latest club to be interested, particularly if a lack of game-time for Christian Pulisic continues and the American leaves the club in the summer.
Both Manchester clubs, with City boss Pep Guardiola having managed Coman in his final season in Munich, are also keeping an eye on the Frenchman’s situation.
So, just how has Coman’s stock risen so highly?
Large in part, his winning mentality is his most prized attribute. Don’t underestimate the effect of 22 major trophies in eight years – over three a season – has on the mindset of potential suitors.
From the beginning, he’s been number one. He still holds the record for being the youngest player to ever play for PSG, having made his debut at the age of 16 years, eight months and four days.
Coman made his debut for PSG at the age of 16 and won his first trophy at 17 years of age
Coman moved to Juventus on a free transfer but quickly moved to Bayern on a two-year loan
He won his first trophy, the French equivalent of the Community Shield, at 17 but opted to let his contract run down at the Parc des Princes, with Serie A behemoths Juventus taking him on via a free transfer.
However, despite making 20 appearances in all competitions – including as a late substitute in the 3-1 loss to Barcelona in the 2015 Champions League final – the arrival of Massimiliano Allegri as manager resulted in Coman looking at a move away.
The option of a two-year loan deal at Bayern, then under Guardiola, surfaced.
And since then, season-by-season, Coman’s role in the Bayern squad has become more important, with his game and productivity maturing from out wide.
He hit 10 goals in all competitions for the first time in the 2018-19 season, while he made his most appearances in any season during the last Covid-affected campaign.
Coman with the Champions League trophy after Bayern Munich beat PSG in the final in Lisbon
In fact, it is only international honours missing from his trophy cabinet.
Having been in France’s squad which finished runners-up to Portugal in the 2016 Euros they hosted, Coman was on the standby list of players for France’s triumph in Russia two years ago and was not called-up.
Yet he has already recorded 26 assists and is near-certain to be called-up for this summer’s European Championships.
So, with this record, why on earth would Bayern not fight tooth and nail to keep him?
Coman’s bullet header in the Champions League final completed a historic treble for Bayern
The Frenchman celebrates after his crucial goal against former club Paris Saint-Germain
Well, history has taught us that Coman has no fear-factor when it comes to fresh challenges in new countries.
The 24-year-old has always taken it upon himself to make sure he is playing as regularly as possible and if he’s not, he’s not slow in leaving.
This season, Coman has started 16 of Bayern’s 24 Bundesliga games. He’s registered 10 assists and three goals.
But there is competition, with Coman, Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry fighting over two spots.
A bigger problem is his wage demands. Latest reports state that the Frenchman is looking for an increase on his current £140,000-a-week pay-packet – something Chelsea, City and United would have no problem paying.
Thomas Tuchel, who was PSG boss when Coman’s Bayern beat them, could pursue the winger
According to Kicker, the German giants initially offered Coman a three-year extension until June 2026, which he turned down.
And Sportsmail reported last month that United were preparing to almost double his wages to £260,000 a week to tempt him to Old Trafford.
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said in December: ‘Kingsley is an absolute top player today, and is extremely valuable for Bayern.
‘He often makes the difference, just when it counts the most. Kingsley is not for sale.’
Manchester United and league leaders City are keeping an eye on Coman’s contract situation
But until a new deal is signed, the links will pursue. He would join beefed-up squads at Stamford Bridge, Old Trafford or the Etihad, but he has never known any different.
But it is his addiction to winning, shown on the greatest of stages in Lisbon last August, which is the most invaluable of assets.
He’s conquered France, Italy and Germany – England may be next on the bucket-list.
