Niko Kovac optimistic of Renato Sanches impact at Bayern Munich

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 22 July 2018

Niko Kovac hopes that Bayern Munich youngster Renato Sanches can find his form of old after returning from a disastrous loan spell with Swansea City.

Bayern Munich manager Niko Kovac has suggested that Renato Sanches still has a part to play at the club after "unfreezing a little" during the early stages of pre-season.

The Portugal international endured a season to forget on loan in the Premier League with Swansea City last time out, being restricted to just 12 appearances and failing to register a goal or an assist.

Ex-Swans boss Paul Clement admitted that Sanches's lack of confidence was clear to see during his time in South Wales, but Kovac is not giving up on the 2016 Golden Boy winner coming good at the Allianz Arena.

"I'm pleased for Renato who hasn't had an easy time here in Munich," he told reporters. "But I saw immediately on my first day he's got a great body language.

"He's a top-quality player and I notice him unfreezing a little. If he has the necessary self-confidence he knows what he is capable of. When you give him the necessary self-confidence and recognition, then you can always perform well and his free-kick was exceptional.

"We practised free kicks in our final training yesterday and all of his went in and he also managed it today."

Sanches was on target for Bayern as they defeated fellow European heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 in their International Champions Cup clash on Saturday afternoon.