One of many longest-running switch rumors at Bayern Munich has been the membership’s curiosity in RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer.
Laimer, who’s greatest recognized for his capacity to win balls and supply a gentle defensive presence, seems to need the transfer and the most recent experiences point out that Bayern Munich may be desperate to ink the Austrian to a deal shortly, which might enable him to switch this summer season as a free agent.
The newest bit of data got here from Sport Bild’s Christian Falk and Tobi Altschäffl on their Bayern Insider Podcast (as captured by @iMiaSanMia):
Bayern are near finishing the free switch of Konrad Laimer for the summer season. The transfer is getting extra & extra concrete. Laimer has rejected presents from England in addition to a brand new deal at Leipzig. Bayern is his dream vacation spot.
If true, what does all of it imply? Let’s check out the chances:
If one is available in, does one other should exit? In that case, who?
With Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Marcel Sabitzer, and Ryan Gravenberch already in tow — plus Paul Wanner, who the membership would possibly or may not see as a No. 8-type of participant, it might appear that the acquisition of Laimer would possibly create a little bit of an even bigger logjam at a place the place Julian Nagelsmann has already had hassle distributing taking part in time:
Kimmich: He’s not going anyplace or seeing any taking part in time discount. Verdict: Stays (duh).
Goretzka: The Germany worldwide simply inked a brand new deal, but in addition appears to not be precisely what Nagelsmann needs from the place (when it comes to being Kimmich’s accomplice) when Kimmich is already a mainstay. It’s onerous to think about the 2 events splitting up any time quickly, however ought to Laimer usurp any of Goretzka’s taking part in time, it may be assumed that that it’ll not sit nicely with the previous Schalke 04 participant. Verdict: Stays, however this might have an adversarial impact on Goretzka’s future quickly sufficient.
Sabitzer: Regardless of his very strong Hinrunde, it might seem that this Austrian is about to play his closing months on the Allianz Enviornment. Verdict: Goes, Bayern Munich will attempt to promote him this upcoming summer season.
Gravenberch: One way or the other, the Dutch teenager thought he was going to waltz into Säbener Straße and tackle quite a lot of taking part in time. That has not occurred — and he has additionally let the membership know by way of the media that he’s not completely happy about it. The dearth of taking part in time may need had an adversarial impact on Gravenberch’s capacity to make the World Cup crew for the Netherlands, which could have brought on further bitterness as nicely. Whereas he’s younger and proficient, he’s additionally clearly sad. Including one other physique into the combination, albeit one who is taken into account extra protection than offensive, may add to the Dutchman’s discontent. Verdict: Stays, however could possibly be offered after the 2023/24 season if he doesn’t see a transparent pathway to subject time by that time.
Wanner: The potential Austrian nationwide crew member has an abundance of capacity, however it doesn’t look as if Bayern Munich has selected a place the place he’ll get to place that expertise on show. Wanner could possibly be a No. 8…or a No. 10…or perhaps a wing. His skillset interprets to all of these spots. Including Laimer may not immediately take minutes from Wanner (he at present will get virtually none anyway), however it’ll put one other physique right into a shortly crowding combine. Verdict: Goes (on a mortgage project the place he can get extra taking part in time, which might be nice for his growth).
Would Laimer begin or be a rotational participant?
It’s onerous to assume {that a} central midfield beginning tandem of Kimmich and Goretzka could possibly be damaged up given how nicely they’ve performed collectively, however maybe Nagelsmann has a distinct imaginative and prescient for his midfield.
Laimer may be thought of a specialty participant used instead to assist lock down video games together with his ball-winning and perhaps as a spot-starter who may also help fill the void left by accidents and relaxation days.
A extra constant rotation would possibly really assist Kimmich scale back the profession mileage he’s placing on his physique.
In Abstract
It’s onerous to go up a proficient, free switch — particularly one who has a historical past with the supervisor and a skillset that isn’t at present discovered on the roster. Sure, it might be , savvy transfer at an important worth (free!). How that might all perform collectively on a roster, although, may not at all times been easy crusing for Nagelsmann to handle.
There wouldn’t appear to be any main roster actions on the place in the summertime of 2023, however there could possibly be a longer-term fallout. At this level, it simply feels just like the deal might be occurring. I assume that might be a kind of “good issues to have” kind of offers, eh?
Bavarian Podcast Works: Weekend Heat-up Podcast Season 2, Episode 21
Bayern Munich’s luck has been fairly horrible on the World Cup. For Germany, is has not been significantly better, both.
For each membership and nation, Citizen King’s 1999 tune “Higher Days” completely rings true (and yup, there might have been ample Thanksgiving beers consumed for me to do not forget that tune).
Bayern Munich and Germany may use some new juju to alter up the way in which issues have been going and we’ll see if we will discover some purpose to get the optimism rolling.
That is what we now have on faucet for this episode:
A have a look at what we will anticipate from a younger and hungry Spain crew towards an inefficient and uncertain Germany squad.
Bayern’s rumored provide to Gladbach’s Marcus Thuram.
May Bayern Munich actually expedite its pursuit of Florian Wirtz?
What Bayern Munich’s backline will appear to be with out Lucas Hernandez.
Some closing ideas on the collection finale of The Strolling Useless.
Tune of the Week: “Dylan’s Exhausting Rain” by Ryan Bingham
Launched in 2009, “Dylan’s Exhausting Rain” was certainly one of a string of excellent songs by Ryan Bingham throughout that interval. Once more, I used to be turned on this one tune throughout my early morning drives to work. Take pleasure in it — particularly for the inventive lyrics, that are simply sung so matter-of-factly that all of it simply meshes in an superior means:
Bingham’s general catalog could be very strong if this tune piqued your curiosity.
Leisure Rundown
I watched the finale of The Strolling Useless and got here away from the episode pissed off and right here’s why:
It felt extraordinarily disingenuous to make use of the collection finale (of what was as soon as an important present) as a promotional platform for the spin-off reveals. At this level, I don’t care concerning the spin-offs, I simply needed to see some kind of closure on the collection in a significant means. As an alternative, we obtained what amounted to a no purpose demise for Rosita and a hell of quite a lot of openended plotlines.
There was by no means a doubt that the protagonists had been going to take Pamela down at The Commonwealth and escape the walker herd one final time. The present has been predictable for a very long time, however even with a pre-determined end result from the comics, the journey to attending to the tip misplaced its means.
The Maggie-Negan “make-up” was a pleasant second (maybe unrealistic on this universe primarily based on the person histories of the characters), however it misplaced its which means as a result of it was simply used as a platform to advertise a brand new present.
Equally, Daryl fought tooth-and-nail during the last two seasons to maintain his individuals protected and to win again Alexandria. Now, he’s simply going to take off and create new adventures…in Europe? It simply didn’t make sense. How the finale ended, it simply looks like it was time for Daryl to take off the vest and settle in. As an alternative, he’s off in search of extra life-endangering adventures.
In abstract, the storyline surrounding The Commonwealth fell in need of expectations and the finale — to me — was disappointing. It was a little bit of a disservice to the actors who portrayed the characters and the followers who watched for thus lengthy. The present misplaced its true really feel a very long time in the past, however there was an opportunity at redemption — which paradoxically was a serious theme all through the present’s historical past. As an alternative, the present limped out the door like an previous rotter rising from a vacated comfort retailer. It pains me to put in writing that as a result of at one level, this was a high 5 present for me. These days, nevertheless, are lengthy gone.
Bavarian Podcast Works: Postgame Present — Germany 1-2 Japan
Properly right here we go once more. One other World Cup, and the identical story for the German nationwide crew. Even with Hansi Flick and a complete host of Bayern Munich gamers on the roster, Germany have succumbed to Japan even after a fortuitous penalty gave them the lead within the first half. Now it appears like this event may be one other write-off for the Germans.
Listed below are our speaking factors from the sport:
This loss is on Hansi Flick.
Discussing the baffling lineup choice from the coach. Why didn’t Leon Goretzka begin?
The place was Sulinho? What occurred to Musiala? The issue of gamers underperforming.
The problems with the offense and creativity versus Japan.
Did shedding Leroy Sane sink Germany?
What ought to Hansi Flick change versus Spain?
Is Flick not the savior for Germany?
Our closing ideas on a closing few matters — the brand new protection, Joshua Kimmich at right-back, Thomas Muller objectives, and attainable silver linings.
Predictions
I’ll begin by saying that I don’t consider Spain is pretty much as good as they regarded towards Costa Rica and that Germany shouldn’t be as hapless as they regarded towards Japan.
That mentioned, I’ve been thrown from the #GermanyCanDoThisBus and landed in #ThisTeamIsFd Subject. Although Germany has the expertise to take down Spain and really nicely may make that occur, one thing doesn’t really feel proper in the intervening time with this squad.
Prediction: (Ache) Spain 2-2 Germany
Different World Cup — Match Day 2 predictions embrace:
Wales 2-1 Iran
Qatar 0-4 Senegal
Netherlands 2-0 Ecuador
England 3-1 United States
Tunisia 1-2 Australia
Poland 2-1 Saudi Arabia
France 3-0 Denmark
Argentina 2-2 Mexico
Japan 2-0 Costa Rica
Belgium 3-0 Morocco
Croatia 2-1 Canada
Cameroon 1-3 Serbia
South Korea 2-2 Ghana
Brazil 2-2 Switzerland
Portugal 2-1 Uruguay
Prediction Information
Final World Cup match day document: 11-5
Final Bundesliga match day document: 4-5
Total Bundesliga document: 64-69
DFL-Supercup document: 1-0
DFB-Pokal document: 2-0
Champions League document: 5-1
World Cup document: 11-5
WWU general document: 83-77
Visitor predictions: 7-4