Daily Schmankerl: Bastian Schweinsteiger’s big assist; a Bayern Munich vs. Schalke prediction; Nicolas Pepe to Bavaria?; and MORE!

Schweinsteiger helps former teammate land with Rangers (Daily Record)

Chicago Fire star and Bayern Munich legend Bastian Schweinsteiger had a big assist in helping former teammate Matt Polster land his next gig.

Matt Polster has revealed he had help from Bayern Munich legend Bastian Schweinsteiger as he made a bid to get a work permit. The Rangers new boy had to appeal for the right to work in the UK because he didn’t have enough international caps to automatically get one. It meant he had to go before a panel and present his case on why he was a good enough footballer to join Steven Gerrard’s side. And he had a little help from a legend of the game in Schweinsteiger.

Schweinsteiger, along with several other people, jumped in and made a case for Polster, which apparently helped close the deal.

Obviously it’s a little nerve wracking trying to get your work permit because the club and I both agreed that I can become a Ranger player but now it’s up to the outside world to agree. Obviously, you also get external help too. Basti (Schweinsteiger) put together a little e-mail together. Bocanegra called and said nice things. A couple of coaches within MLS also said nice things.

Bayern in pursuit of Pepe (Metro)

Bayern is reportedly ready to do battle with Arsenal for Lille forward Nicolas Pepe.

Bayern Munich are ‘seriously’ firming up their interest in Lille forward Nicolas Pepe, reports say. The 23-year-old has hit the big time this season in Ligue 1, scoring 16 goals in 23 league appearances. Arsenal have been tracking Pepe for several months, with former transfer guru Sven Mislintat heavily involved in scouting the goalscorer.

Bayern vs. Schalke: A prediction (Bavarian Football Works)

The Bavarians should be seeking to shake off last weekend’s disappointment against Bayer Leverkusen by rebounding versus Schalke 04. Now, however, we are back at the stage where guessing Niko Kovac’s lineups has become extremely difficult.

Will he ride the line-up that he’ll need to use against Liverpool in hopes of them gaining more cohesion or will he opt to rest some players to try and ensure his roster is fresh? It might not matter in this one.

The Bavarians should have enough firepower no matter who is in the starting XI. This also just feels like a “Robert Lewandowski gets a brace” kind of game. The Polish Hitman has been outstanding this season and has displayed exactly why Bayern’s front office was so intent on retaining him last summer.

Schalke will try to make this an ugly game, so Die Roten will need to get on the scoreboard early and make Die Königsblauen abandon any attempt to muck the game up.

Prediction: Bayern Munich 3, Schalke 1

Looking for background on Arp? Check this out (Scout Nation)

The video starts out with some basic stats and what not, but then moves into his highlights. Arp’s style is not all that dissimilar to Robert Lewandowski (not saying he’s the next Lewy, but there are some similarities in their body frame and how they each play the “9”).

ICYMI: The journey of Chris Richards (Bavarian Football Works)

If you didn’t catch this, you should. Take a look at the journey that Chris Richards made from Alabama to Bavaria and everywhere in between. Bayern, Chris, his family, and his former coach Eric Quill gave us great access to tell the story on how the American made the jump to Germany.