After a disastrous Euro 2016 campaign for Germany, the 27-year-old attacker has failed to score a single goal thus far in the 2016-17 Bundesliga campaign
Thomas Muller described Bayern Munich's 4-1 rout of PSV on October 19 as "fun". It had been a welcome release for the German, who has not been enjoying himself at all of late.
Indeed, others have been enjoying themselves at Muller's expense, with the forward having become a figure of fun during a dismal 2016-17 campaign so far. Even San Marino have mocked Muller's struggles in front of goal this season. After Germany's 8-0 demolition of the microstate in a World Cup qualifier last month, Muller mused: "I don't understand the point of such uneven games like these, even more so because of the crowded fixture list.
"I understand that for them it is special to play against the world champions. I understand also that they can only defend with tough tackling. For this reason, though, I wonder if these are not games which bring unnecessary risks."
During a wonderfully witty 10-point dissection of Muller's argument, San Marino Olympic Committee spokesman Alan Gasperoni sarcastically stated: "It served to show you that not even against the teams as poor as ours can you score a goal."
Whatever the appropriateness of such sniping, the fact is that Muller's strike-rate has fallen dramatically since the end of last season.What makes this dip all the more surprising is that it came after the most prolific season of his career at club level. Muller netted 20 times in the Bundesliga alone last term, racking up 32 goals in all competitions. He looked perfectly primed for Germany's bid to add the European Championship crown to the World Cup title they claimed in Brazil two years ago.
Yet Muller floundered in France. Germany reached the semis - but that was in spite of their most feared forward not because of him. Muller played every minute of his country's run to the last four - yet he didn't score once. He even missed his penalty in the quarter-final shootout success over Italy, prompting him to quit taking spot-kicks for Germany.
When Carlo Ancelotti succeeded Pep Guardiola as Bayern boss during the summer, the Italian realised that Muller was physically and mentally exhausted. "He needs a holiday because he has completed many games," the former Real Madrid coach stated shortly after his arrival at the Allianz Arena. "But when he comes back, he will be an important part of the team."
Only it hasn't worked out that way. Muller struck against Borussia Dortmund in the DFL-Supercup but, in truth, he returned neither refreshed nor revitalised after his extended break. Nearly four months into the domestic season, and after 11 outings, Muller has yet to break his Bundesliga duck.
What makes this dip all the more surprising is that it came after the most prolific season of his career at club level. Muller netted 20 times in the Bundesliga alone last term, racking up 32 goals in all competitions. He looked perfectly primed for Germany's bid to add the European Championship crown to the World Cup title they claimed in Brazil two years ago.
What makes this dip all the more surprising is that it came after the most prolific season of his career at club level. Muller netted 20 times in the Bundesliga alone last term, racking up 32 goals in all competitions. He looked perfectly primed for Germany's bid to add the European Championship crown to the World Cup title they claimed in Brazil two years ago.
