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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Samuel Meade

5 things noticed from Sadio Mane's first training session after Bayern Munich transfer

The German champions are back in action and being put through their paces as they eye an 11th straight Bundesliga title.

Bayern Munich claimed the title by eight points last term in what was Julian Nagelsmann's first year at the helm. It will have been satisfactory, but nothing more as they failed to make it past the last eight of the Champions League and were unable to lift the German Cup.

There could be major personnel changes at Säbener Strasse however with ins and outs. Sadio Mane is the marquee arrival in Bavaria, arriving from Liverpool. He is one of several signings, but the Senegal star could be about to replace - rather than work alongside - Robert Lewandowski, who has made it clear he wants out.

Bayern have, so far, stood firm regarding their Polish forward as they look to make strides forward but things could yet change. We take a look at a few of the subplots from the team's return to training.

1) Enjoying the limelight

Mane only had a year left on his deal at Anfield and opted to pursue pastures new. For so long at Anfield the forward largely played second fiddle to Mohamed Salah - now he may get the chance to be more the main man.

He was pictured holding a club shirt whilst also doing interviews with the club's media as the excitement continues regarding his move. Mane was prolific throughout his time at Liverpool and Bayern will hope he continues that trend after moving to Germany.

2) Welcoming the new boys

Mane isn't the only new boy in Germany with Noussair Mazraoui and Ryan Gravenberch both arriving from Ajax. The former signing on a free with Gravenberch setting the Bavarians back €18m. The pair were pictured alongside Mane and manager Nagelsmann as they wasted no time in asserting themselves once the balls were out.

Bayern have seen Corentin Tolisso leave the club so adding Gravenberch provides them without another midfield option. Mazraoui meanwhile made 35 outings for Ajax last term and brings plenty of experience to an already champion side.

3) Julian getting his message across

The youthful manager has long made headlines for all his exploits at such a young age. Only in his mid-30s, he is leading the biggest side in Germany but has not been put off by the challenge. Last term he begun to get his ideas across but will still be wanting - and expecting - much more.

Nagelsmann was pictured getting back to the basics and he had the squad circled around him whilst he held up a pitch white board with several counters as he made clear what he expected of his players. He's excelled wherever he's been and will want his team to go up a level this season.

4) Gnabry forgets future concerns

The former Arsenal man continues to have a question mark hanging over his long-term future at the Allianz Arena. Gnabry will see his deal expire next summer but rejected the offer of a new deal last month. Despite that the German does plan to remain at the club, but is in no rush to make a decision.

If his mind was elsewhere it didn't seem to hamper his training efforts as the winger remained fully focus. Bayern have been able to tie down several players to new contracts, but Gnabry remains firmly on their to do list.

Have Your Say! Will Lewandowski remain at Bayern? Tell us what you think here.

5) No sign of Robert... yet

Robert Lewandowski seems to have decide that, after seven years, his time at Munich is up and he's made it clear he wants to leave and will not be signing a new deal. It leaves Bayern in a precarious position, but the forward was a notable absentee from training, which perhaps eased any speculation for a day or two.

He was one of several players missing but he and the likes of Manuel Neuer and Thomas Muller are expected to join the team on Tuesday when talk of the Pole's future may well be back in the headlines.

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