Daily Schmankerl: Marc Roca reaction; Should Bayern Munich pursue a “machine”?; Andrej Kramarić is on fire; James Rodriguez is excelling at Everton; and MORE!

Time to Roca and Rolla? (Bavarian Football Works)

With Marc Roca’s move to Bayern Munich essentially a done deal, I was sort of left with a few questions. From a Bayern Munich perspective, picking a defensive-minded midfielder to back-up Joshua Kimmich was an understandable move. Roca, who seems like a value-driven (reportedly €13 million + add-ons) purchase, should provide Hansi Flick with a good ace to keep up his sleeve.

And that is sort of where I start to question some things. Firstly, Roca is just 23-years-old, but opted to come to a club where he is likely no better than fifth option for three spots (counting Thomas Muller’s role as 10 within this grouping). Muller, Kimmich, Goretzka, and Corentin Tolisso are probably all — currently — ranked ahead of Roca on the Bayern Munich roster.

You could potentially argue that Roca could sneak by Tolisso on the depth chart, but I think it would be hard-pressed to find anyone who thinks Roca will break into that top-three mix. I just wonder — and I hope one of the reporters asks at his introductory press conference (should there be one and this deal doesn’t go full “Cuisance-to-Leeds” on us) — why he would seemingly accept a step back to being a reserve after being a starter at Espanyol?

Acknowledging the prestige factor (and probably a pay raise as well), it seems risky for Roca. Now, the glut of games on Bayern Munich’s schedule should see that Roca get on the field, but will it be enough to keep him happy? I think everyone hopes so, but that would be a concern of mine with this move.

There is no denying his talent and the role he’ll fill for the club, but I worry about young players and opportunity. While I like Michaël Cuisance’s talent, it is hard not to think that he might have been better served getting more minutes with another club last season with regard to his development. Hopefully, Roca can find a way to make it all work in a manner that prevent a Cuisance-esque “One and try to hopefully be done” stint with the Bavarians.

Is Clyne a fit at Bayern? (Tz)

Given the craziness surrounding Bayern Munich’s squad planning these days, Tz took a look at the list of free agents and thinks that 29-year-old former Liverpool right-back could be a good fit for the Bavarians:

Nathaniel Clyne has been without a club since this summer, and there was no new contract with Liverpool FC. What makes him interesting for FC Bayern Munich ? He is free of charge and above all: right back! Bayern really wanted to improve and hit the transfer market. The desired solution with Sergino Dest broke down recently, and Max Aarons as an alternative is probably too expensive (at least 20 million euros).

But who is this Nathaniel Clyne? Born in London, the 29-year-old caused a sensation in the Premier League for many years at Crystal Palace, Southampton FC and Liverpool FC. Jürgen Klopp valued the (Clyne) very much. Clyne once said: “The trainer called me a machine. I don’t know exactly why. Probably because I play a lot of games and I’m hardly injured.”

Thoughts? I’m not so sure about Clyne as a free agent, but free agents like Mario Götze and Mario Mandžukić would certainly interest me.

Kramarić is killing it (@ESPNFC)

Hoffenheim’s Andrej Kramarić is scorching hot right now.

Kramarić has eight goals in four games across all competitions so far this season.

BVB did a number on Streich’s boys (@Bundesliga_EN)

Borussia Dortmund did not let any disappointment over losing the DFL-Supercup to Bayern Munich show yesterday against SC Freiburg. Gio Reyna was an assist machine and Erling Haaland was nothing short of tremendous.

The Dortmund squad we see now could look a whole lot better come 2021 with some seasoning.

James doing his thing...or at least something (@lmechegaray)

With the summer winds still sort of blowing in early autumn, James Rodriguez is still playing football during his time of year (not cold!) and is having a very strong start to his Premier League campaign.

This celebration, however, should be put on ice.

James has three goals and three assists in five games across all competitions for Everton this season and has done well (so far) to brush aside the pundits who thought he might struggle in England.