Bayern Munich and Germany legend Philipp Lahm admits he "doesn’t understand" Sadio Mane’s role at the Allianz Arena as his stuttering start to the season continues.
The Senegalese completed a £34m move to the German giants this summer, bringing to an end a hugely-successful six-year spell with Liverpool. Despite a bright start in Bavaria during which he hit five goals in his opening five games of the campaign, Mane’s form has gone awry in recent weeks.
He has not scored in any of his last six games in all competitions and was even left on the bench by manager Julian Nagelsmann for the 2-2 draw against Stuttgart earlier this month.
That has seen his suitability to Bayern's system called into question and whilst Lahm has recognised Mane’s talents, he confesses he is unsure over the forward’s specific remit within Nagelsmann's side - a problem he believes is impacting the whole team.
Speaking to Late Night Berlin, the 2014 World Cup winner said: “Mane’s qualities cannot be questioned. But it’s crucial that roles must be clearly assigned.
“I don’t see that at the moment. I currently don’t understand how the roles are defined. Everyone has to know what they have to do on the pitch.”
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Mane’s indifferent form has coincided with new side Bayern going through a tricky patch. The reigning Bundesliga champions have not won in any of their last four league games and lost 1-0 to Augsburg last time out. That has seen them fall to fifth in the early-season standings, with capital club Union Berlin surprisingly topping the table.
Interestingly enough, former Liverpool star Dietmar Hamann has also claimed that Bayern boss Nagelsmann is not using Mane in his best position.
He said : “He is not integrated. I saw him at Liverpool FC, where he played through the middle. That is not his position.
“Now, he’s taking that position at FC Bayern as well. He is at his best when he comes from the outside. He doesn’t look happy to me.
“Other players like Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala or, in defence, Lucas Hernandez, who is injured at the moment, are putting in outstanding performances. Nobody is talking about Mane at the moment. He seems isolated and hardly takes part in the game. FC Bayern has to get a grip on that.”
Mane penned a three-year deal with Bayern upon his exit from Liverpool and it was hoped he could replace Polish forward Robert Lewandowski, who quit the Allianz for Spanish giants Barcelona.
