Choupo-Moting has more goal contributions per minute than Lewandowski – fans consider him underrated

By Jasmin Eigl

FC Bayern Munich have found a dangerous replacement for world-class player Lewandowski in Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. The 33-year-old always knew about his role as second choice behind Lewandowski. As the Ballon d'Or winner now plays for FC Barcelona, the Cameroonian is now getting the opportunity to prove his talent from the starting eleven as well. He can even boast a better goal-scoring record than the Pole. FanQ therefore asked German football fans whether Choupo-Moting is underestimated.

„Man of the Match against FC Augsburg

The 33-year-old once again proved his class in the cup match against FC Augsburg. The attacking player was the match-winner in the 5:2 spectacle with two goals and an assist. The 33-year-old cleverly cancelled out the quick goal by Pedersen (9th minute) by taking advantage of the fact that FCA substitute keeper Koubek was standing too far away from the post and speculated on a feed from the Cameroonian (27th minute). At the start of the second half, Choupo-Moting then set up Kimmich for the 2:1 lead after a mistake by Gruezo (53‚), before he lurked in the best centre-forward manner after an unsuccessful clearing attempt by the Augsburg backline and finished ice-cold to make it 3:1 (59‘). Musiala (74) and Davies (90.+1) then cancelled out Upamecano's own goal (65) to ensure Bayern reached the last 16 of the DFB Cup last night with a 5-2 win at the 'Fuggerstädter' - unlike in the last two years.

Choupo-Moting, who was named Man of the Match, is increasingly becoming Munich's new goal guarantee since Lewandowski's departure. In his 2,044 minutes of playing time for the record champions, he scored 20 goals and set up seven more. A record that neither another Bayern player nor any other Bundesliga player has achieved.

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At the start of the season, he had to pause due to injury. His coach, Julian Nagelsmann, mostly brought him off the bench in his nine competitive appearances this season. However, as last weekend's match against SC Freiburg and yesterday's against FCA showed, he can also take on the role of an important key player in the starting lineup. He is the target player the team needs. With his qualities, he is more than just a player for the final stages. Teammate Gnabry sees him as the „best sole player.“ Choupo-Moting can „hold the ball unbelievably well, whether with his sole or with one touch.“

The FCB coach often preferred the veteran over young talents like Matthis Tel when he was substituted on or started. „He is a target man who is often missed by the media here,“ the coach recently said about the 33-year-old. Due to Leroy Sané's injury, who is suffering from a muscle fibre tear, the Cameroonian is currently even more vital for Bayern given his recent top performances. Even if the discussion about a Lewandowski successor and a true number nine in the Bavarian capital will probably continue, the sporting director, thanks to Choupo-Moting's performances, has all the arguments on his side when he claims: „For me, there is no striker debate.“

In this context, FanQ surveyed football fans in Germany on whether the Cameroonian is underestimated – even taking his excellent statistical values into account. 61.17% of respondents in the survey believe that Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting's performances are indeed too rarely and insufficiently appreciated. However, 31.07% of those surveyed do not share this view. As is clear from his interviews after recent matches, the striker remains unfazed by the attention regarding his person. When asked about his record for the record champions in the DFB-Pokal (eight goals in four games), he replied in conversation with „Sky“: „No, but it's good, isn't it? […] I always enjoy playing in the DFB-Pokal, I want to go as far as possible with FC Bayern and clearly: our goal is to reach the final and win the cup. That is the claim of FC Bayern.“