Karl, 18, has yet to recapture the fluency he showed last season and has recorded two direct goal contributions across his three starts in all competitions, according to Bild. The report says Bayern’s concerns extend beyond his performances, with the club reportedly unhappy about how much of his private life and lifestyle he shares online.
Bild claimed officials had encouraged Karl to spend less time on Instagram and focus on his football. The report also compared his public profile with that of Bayern Munich team-mate Tom Bischof, whose relationship is said to be less visible on social media.
The claims have not changed Kompany’s public stance. The Bayern manager has pointed to Karl’s age and the physical problems he has experienced as reasons to give him time.
“He hasn’t really shown the level of performance he did last season yet, but that’s okay too. He knows that I also expect that to happen sometimes. He’s still young and has had a few physical problems. He’ll come back. I’m not worried,” Kompany said.
Karl’s recent campaign has been affected by a muscle injury, and he has had to rebuild his rhythm after that interruption. Bayern’s attacking options have also been affected by absences, with Jamal Musiala and Luis Díaz unavailable for the Freiburg fixture at the time of the report.
The teenager could therefore have another opportunity to start when Bayern travel to Freiburg on Sunday. The 2-2 draw with Arsenal in midweek was physically demanding, and rotation may be needed as the team manages its schedule.
The reported internal criticism remains attributed to Bild and has not been confirmed publicly by Bayern. Karl’s performances will ultimately be judged on the pitch, while Kompany’s comments make clear that he is prepared to give the youngster time to rediscover his best form.
The reported comparison with Bischof also raises the question of how much scrutiny should be placed on young players’ lives away from football. Bischof is 21, three years older than Karl, and the two players are at different stages of their development.
For a player still at the beginning of his senior career, a quieter spell does not necessarily signal a lasting problem. Kompany’s message is that Karl’s development should be assessed over time, rather than defined by a difficult run of matches or headlines about his private life.