Overview

• Wirtz started on the bench at Stamford Bridge, with Arne Slot stressing game-by-game rotation and differing opponent styles to explain the call.
• Germany icons Oliver Kahn and Rudi Völler, ex-Red Vladimir Smicer and Peter Crouch publicly urged patience, while a Sky Sports feature showed family and former coaches sending personal support.
• Jamie Carragher argued Wirtz should be taken out of the lineup to rebalance the team, and Wayne Rooney questioned his tactical fit, favoring Dominik Szoboszlai in the No. 10 role.
• Media in Germany and the UK reported Dietmar Hamann’s view that Wirtz needs tangible contributions before Christmas to quiet internal and external debate.
• Bayern Munich CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen pointedly contrasted Bayern’s spending approach with Premier League finances, referencing Liverpool after missing out on Wirtz.