Javi Martinez’s start to life at Bayern Munich was somewhat difficult. As a controversial transfer from Spain, bought after an abysmal trophyless season, it took the tough and gritty Spaniard a while to get used to life in Munich, rotating in and out of the starting XI in his first few months at the club. However, he worked to adjust to Bayern and eventually things clicked into gear. He would rarely miss a match and formed an unbeatable duo with Bastian Schweinsteiger, serving as the crucial missing piece the Bavarians needed as the team romped to the first treble in the club’s history in his first season at the club.
Over a decade after this miraculous turnaround, Martinez has long since left Bayern but keeps an eye on the club. So he noticed when Bayern controversially signed another young, unproven Spaniard in Bryan Zaragoza, watching as he struggled to help the club during an abysmal trophyless season and not getting the chance to bed in. Needless to say, Martinez took an active interest:
“I spoke to him and told him to be patient because it was a big move,” Martinez revealed in a recent interview, via @iMiaSanMia. “He told me he didn’t speak English, he didn’t speak German, nothing. And I think it was necessary to try to get a translator or whatever to help him in German. He’s a star and he’s showing that at Osasuna. Sometimes you have to take that step back to come back stronger. And he’s doing it. He’s a big team player.”
But does he need to learn German?
“At least English, to make it easier to live there, and not just as a footballer but as a person. When I was little, I used to say: ‘Why should I learn English if we don’t speak it in Spain?’ – And look where I am now. I’ve had to learn English and German.”
That may just be the crucial factor here. Both Martinez and Zaragoza struggled to implement their natural talents in Munich but the former fought to adapt while the latter really was not able to, for one reason or another. Perhaps Zaragoza just needs more time in Munich to adapt. Perhaps he needs to do more himself. Regardless, we know that this upcoming summer will determine whether or not the little Spanish magician will be able to establish himself at Bayern like Martinez did.
