Daily Schmankerl: Leon Goretzka comments on upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers; Kylian Mbappe to join Eden Hazard at Real Madrid?; Women’s World Cup news; and MORE!

Goretzka riffs on his favorite position, dropping to defense, and more (DFB.de)

Bayern Munich midfielder and Germany international Leon Goretzka is healed and going to be healthy enough to participate in Germany’s Euro 2020 qualifiers after suffering from a muscular injury that he sustained in the Bundesliga finale. During the press conference ahead of today’s match against Belarus, Goretzka had some interesting things to say:

• When asked about the possibility of playing as a defender:

I have helped out as a left-back or the right-back in the past. I am fundamentally open to new things and playing in new positions. Certainly one of my strengths is being able to play in multiple positions.

• On his injury status:

After my injury at the end of the club season, I have been able to return to full training. I have used this time to cautiously return to full fitness. Not everyone in the team was able to perform at 100% at the start of the week, but I was integrated back into full training relatively quickly and am fit for tomorrow’s match.

• On facing Belarus:

We will focus on how we play our own game and aim to be the better side through defensive stability and staying compact. We then want to build our game by using a lot of possession and quick, short passes to tire the opposition.

• On his favorite position:

We have changed the system in which we play in recent matches. I have played further forward in those matches. However, I believe my strongest position is in the center of midfield as a number eight. I can use my strengths best in this role. However, the important thing is that the team is successful and I am also ready for any other tasks asked of me.

I, too, believe Goretzka is a very strong “8” and that he excels most when playing at that spot where he can use his athleticism. Funny enough, Goretzka is one of the players who has a great opportunity to break through during this set of qualifiers. Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos is out of action and Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich is expected to sit deeper as a “6”, which would allow Goretzka to use his strengths effectively should he find his way on to the pitch either as a starter or a substitute.

Anyway, this should be an opportunity for Goretzka and his teammates to get in sync and apply some pressure offensively that Belarus will have trouble handling.

Prediction: Germany 3, Belarus 0

(Did you see how Goretzka’s hair in “Max Power Goretzka Hair” mode in the lead pic??? GLORIOUS)

Hazard officially to Madrid, Mbappe close behind? (Transfer Market Web)

Real Madrid made the signing of Chelsea’s Eden Hazard official yesterday.

While that was expected, it looks like another mega-star might want to join Los Blancos. Enter Paris Saint-Germain phenom Kylian Mbappe.

According to AS, French international winger/forward Kylian Mbappé (19) is getting more and more eager to accept Real Madrid courtship and join Blancos. PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi, however, isn’t thrilled by the idead of letting the 1998-born leave, especially since Neymar, who just suffered an ankle injury, and is therefore missing Copa America, might be soon getting in trouble with the law, due to sexual harassment (or even rape) accusations.

Miss the Women’s World Cup action? We’ve got you covered (SB Nation)

If you missed France’s 4-0 destruction of South Korea, check out the great recap done by our friends at the SBNation flagship site.

If you just want the quickie highlights see the @FOXSoccer tweet below:

2013 Ribery was — and still is — phenomenal (@FCBayernUS)

Where were you when this went down?

Dortmund hawking Schurrle (Transfer Market Web)

After Fulham was relegated, André Schürrle was released back to Borussia Dortmund and now BVB is trying to unload the 28-year-old to Serie A sides Cagliari or Lazio.

Back from Fulham, German winger/forward André Schürrle (28), according to gazzetta.it, has been offered to both Cagliari and Lazio. Former Chelsea, Leverkusen and Wolfsburg man is currently on a parent-club deal with Borussia Dortmund until June 2021.