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More World Cup action is on the docket today.
One of the longest-running transfer rumors at Bayern Munich has been the club’s interest in RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer.
Laimer, who is best known for his ability to win balls and provide a steady defensive presence, appears to want the move and the latest reports indicate that Bayern Munich might be eager to ink the Austrian to a deal shortly, which would allow him to transfer this summer as a free agent.
The most recent bit of information came from Sport Bild’s Christian Falk and Tobi Altschäffl on their Bayern Insider Podcast (as captured by @iMiaSanMia):
Bayern are close to completing the free transfer of Konrad Laimer for the summer. The move is getting more & more concrete. Laimer has rejected offers from England as well as a new deal at Leipzig. Bayern is his dream destination.
If true, what does it all mean? Let’s take a look at the possibilities:
Well, the age old question NOW has an answer. SB Nation has developed a very scientific system to help YOU figure out who should get your rooting allegiances during the World Cup. Test the system here…if YOU dare.
If one comes in, does another have to go out? If so, who?
With Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Marcel Sabitzer, and Ryan Gravenberch already in tow — plus Paul Wanner, who the club might or might not see as a No. 8-type of player, it would seem that the acquisition of Laimer might create a bit of a bigger logjam at a position where Julian Nagelsmann has already had trouble distributing playing time:
Would Laimer start or be a rotational player?
It is hard to think that a central midfield starting tandem of Kimmich and Goretzka could be broken up given how well they have played together, but perhaps Nagelsmann has a different vision for his midfield.
Laimer could also be considered a specialty player used as a substitute to help lock down games with his ball-winning and maybe as a spot-starter who can help fill the void left by injuries and rest days.
A more consistent rotation might actually help Kimmich reduce the career mileage he is putting on his body.
In Summary
It is hard to pass up a talented, free transfer — especially one who has a history with the manager and a skillset that is not currently found on the roster. Yes, it would be a good, savvy move at a great price (free!). How that would all function together on a roster, though, might not always been smooth sailing for Nagelsmann to manage.
There would not seem to be any major roster movements at the position in the summer of 2023, but there could be a longer-term fallout. At this point, it just feels like the deal will be happening. I guess that would be one of those “good problems to have” type of deals, eh?
Bayern Munich’s luck has been pretty terrible at the World Cup. For Germany, is has not been much better, either.
For both club and country, Citizen King’s 1999 tune “Better Days” absolutely rings true (and yup, there may have been ample Thanksgiving beers consumed for me to remember that song).
Bayern Munich and Germany could use some new juju to change up the way things have been going and we’ll see if we can find some reason to get the optimism rolling.
This is what we have on tap for this episode:
Released in 2009, “Dylan’s Hard Rain” was one of a string of very good songs by Ryan Bingham during that period. Again, I was turned on this one song during my early morning drives to work. Enjoy it — especially for the creative lyrics, which are just sung so matter-of-factly that it all just meshes in an awesome way:
Bingham’s overall catalog is very solid if this song piqued your interest.
I watched the finale of The Walking Dead and came away from the episode frustrated and here’s why:
Well here we go again. Another World Cup, and the same story for the German national team. Even with Hansi Flick and a whole host of Bayern Munich players on the roster, Germany have succumbed to Japan even after a fortuitous penalty gave them the lead in the first half. Now it looks like this tournament might be another write-off for the Germans.
Here are our talking points from the game:
I will start by saying that I do not believe Spain is as good as they looked against Costa Rica and that Germany is not as hapless as they looked against Japan.
That said, I’ve been thrown from the #GermanyCanDoThisBus and landed in #ThisTeamIsFd Field. Though Germany has the talent to take down Spain and very well could make that happen, something does not feel right at the moment with this squad.
Prediction: (Pain) Spain 2-2 Germany
Other World Cup — Match Day 2 predictions include:
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