Daily Schmankerl: First take on Benjamin Pavard; Jerome Boateng commits to Bayern through the Ruckrunde; and MORE!

BFW First Glance: Pavard’s move to Bayern (Bavarian Football Works)

As announced this morning,VfB Stuttgart defender and 2018 World Cup winner Benjamin Pavard will move to Bayern Munich in July, but it remains to be seen what role Pavard will play in Bavaria.

Will Pavard join the group of center-backs that already includes Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng, and Niklas Süle or will he occupy right-back, which would allow Joshua Kimmich to move to a central midfield role?

In addition, youth players Lars Lukas Mai and Chris Richards (whose move has not been announced, although he is back in Germany) are two of Bayern’s brightest young prospects, as well. One thing is certain: Pavard’s versatility will be a big asset as the club transitions to its next core group of players.

Boateng dismisses winter exit (AZ)

Jerome Boateng will not be going anywhere this winter (cf. Manchester Evening News).

A transfer this winter is actually out of the question for me. It was a difficult year for me. I fell short of my competitive expectations and I’m was not happy about it.

What is not so clear are the 2014 Word Cup winner’s plans for the summer. With heavy links to Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain in 2018, along with an up-and-down Hinrunde, Boateng will have to decide whether he needs a change of scenery or is ready to battle for playing time in what could be a very competitive group of defenders.

James excited over bottle flip (@brfootball)

James Rodriguez was very excited over the bottle flip, but Renato Sanches was not as amused.

Videos of players killing time are always great.

More statistical proof that Kimmich is a beast (@WhoScored)

Not that anyone here needed any evidence, but Joshua Kimmich is so integral to Bayern’s attack.