While it can be wildly entertaining to watch, and the ticket prices and atmosphere in the stands are the envy of most fans in the Premier League, there is a distinct lack of competition for Bayern Munich.

Every season that passes seems to become easier for the Bavarian giants, but they luckily prove their quality by being a genuine powerhouse in Europe as well as domestically.

As is stands, Bayern are currently 13 points clear of their nearest rivals at the top of the table, and while Bayern have a much bigger budget than anyone else in Germany, club legend Philipp Lahm has suggested that that isn't the only reason why they've stormed ahead of the rest.

Money can be an issue that fans will point to, but the retiring full-back adds that the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Schalke and Wolfsburg can all take some blame, too, as they've failed to put together a meaningful title challenge.

And he has a point. Dortmund, who are often Bayern's closest challengers, have been somewhat inconsistent this term, despite winning praise for their approach under Thomas Tuchel.

"The financial situation in the league wasn't that different in the years we finished second and fourth," he told Stern magazine.

"I don't think Bayern Munich alone is responsible for how good we are doing. If we are 13 points clear after 25 games, it means that other well-positioned clubs like Schalke or Wolfsburg haven't performed consistently well.

"Borussia Dortmund are an unbelievably talented team who could have made the Bundesliga title race a lot closer. Although you have to say the rest of the Bundesliga lacks quality."

The 33-year-old is set to hang up his boots at the end of the season, and explained that he just can't reach the same levels that he used to.

"I can still handle most situations on the pitch, but not with the same regularity that I used to."

And he rounded off the interview by naming his two choices as replacements for the Bayern Munich captaincy.

He highlighted Manuel Neuer and Thomas Muller as the ideal candidates, and with good reason, too.

"It doesn't work when you buy a new player, telling him to carry the team and hold everything together," he said. "Growing up with the club and flourishing with it is the most important thing."