Mario Gomez Signs Contract Extension

A few readers already pointed this out on the last comment thread, but I figured it still deserves its own post: Mario Gomez has signed a long-term extension that will keep him at FC Bayern at least through the end of the 2016 season. The high-volume (but sometimes controversial) striker expressed happiness at the deal, and says he's fully committed to the club.

A few weeks ago, this move might have had some detractors - not just because Gomez was slumping, but because the whole team was struggling and there was a desire to really clean house. But Super Mario has found his form along with the rest of the team. And the numbers are there: he's on pace to lead the Bundesliga in goals for the second straight year, and his Champions League and Pokal goal-scoring tallies are also very impressive.

I guess the remaining questions would include:

(1) does this seal Olic's exit to Wolfsburg, despite his great performance yesterday?

(2) can Mario refine his game to be a little more dangerous outside of 15 yards, and/or to be paired with another true striker? and

(3) now that we've locked up our striker and got some reinforcements at wing (Shaqiri), what are we going to do at the back? Dante is said to be "all but confirmed" - is he really coming, and is that the extent of our defensive reinforcement?

Anyway, those are long-term questions. For now, we've got Gomez locked up and we're looking ahead to Augsburg this weekend. If you're in the mood, weigh in with your thoughts on this deal or on other moves Bayern should be considering in the comment section. Thanks for reading.