Daily Schmankerl: Bayern Munich’s best goals; FC Barcelona presidential candidate promises to deliver Erling Haaland; Dominik Szoboszlai “can’t wait” to get going with RB Leipzig; Does Kai Havertz regret Chelsea move?; and MORE!

Potential Barca prez promises Haaland (Sport1)

Ah...the time-honored tradition of presidential candidates making promises they aren’t even sure they can fulfill. For this edition, we’ve got FC Barcelona candidate Emili Rousaud, who is promising to deliver Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland to Camp Nou:

Emili Rousaud wants to become the new president of FC Barcelona and claims: I will bring Erling Haaland! Should Emili Rousaud become the new president of FC Barcelona, ​​the days of striker Erling Haaland at Borussia Dortmund could be numbered.

Rousaud and sporting vice-president Josep María Minguella announced on Wednesday that they would have reached an agreement with Haaland agent Mino Raiola on a summer transfer if they win the January 24 election. Haaland has a contract with BVB until June 2024, but it should contain an exit clause. Most recently, however, the 20-year-old emphasized that he felt very comfortable in Dortmund and that he still had some plans with the team.

Well...that would be something, eh?

Fond memories (@FCBayernUS)

Bayern Munich compiled its best goals from 2020 and there was some beauties:

Haaland picks his top three defenders in the world (Sport Bild)

In an interview with Norweigan outlet Verdens Gang (as captured by Sport Bild), Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland listed out who he thinks are the top three defenders in the world.

“I have to say, for me the three best in the world are Sergio Ramos, Virgil van Dijk and Kalidou Koulibaly. The three are good, strong and intelligent,” said Haaland.

Uh, excuse us, Niklas Süle would like to know where he lacks: quality, strength, or intelligence? We’ll hang up and listen.

(Silence)

Szoboszlai can “hardly wait” (kicker)

Dominik Szoboszlai is eager to get moving with RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga:

RB Leipzig is back on the training ground — and Dominik Szoboszlai is there too. The 20 million newcomer can hardly wait for his first game, but has to be patient. A broad grin shows Dominik Szoboszlai’s looking forward to his first assignment for RB Leipzig.

Szoboszlai can “hardly wait” and still has to be patient. The offensive player, who came from Salzburg for 20 million, is in good spirits: “I’m happy to be in Leipzig now, to get to know the team quickly and I can hardly wait to be on the pitch with my new colleagues for the first time.” For now, however, the Hungarian had to train individually, because players who were in risk areas designated by the Robert Koch Institute during the Christmas break are in quarantine in the RBL training center.

The new number 17 of the Saxons has to be patient until his first appearance anyway: Newly signed players of the first and second division may intervene in the action from the 15th matchday at the earliest and not on the first matchday after the winter break. Nevertheless, Szoboszlai’s first impression of his new club is true: “I’ve been well received in Leipzig so far!”

Surely, Szoboszlai will be raring to go once he can finally take the game day pitch with his mates.

Is Havertz regretting his move? (Sport Bild)

In a piece that was mostly about Manuel Neuer, Sport Bild columnist Raimund Hinko went off the rails a bit and touched on Kai Havertz. Havertz, of course, moved to Chelsea in the offseason from Bayer Leverkusen and Hinko thinks the player is regretting his move after not being more open to transferring to Bayern Munich:

“Havertz will have kicked himself often enough for not reciprocating Bayern’s interest more while coach Hansi Flick was still interested in him, before the faction around sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic prevailed, who considered a transfer of Leroy Sané more sensible. Which, in theory, was not a bad idea. In theory...”

Havertz, who was hit hard by COVID-19, has not yet established himself under Frank Lampard — and predictably, is getting hammered in the media and among fans. The great risk that both Havertz and Timo Werner took in following the money to Chelsea is not helping either player at this point.

For Werner, Lampard has shifted him to a wider position after he had a lot of early success playing centrally. As for Havertz, his health has been an issue due to the lingering effects COVID-19 and playing opportunities have not been as easy to come by.

It is clear that Hansi Flick likes — and at least wanted — both players. Could the future include a shade of red for the Germany internationals?

Coutinho to go under the knife (Marca)

Life was a lot easier for FC Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho last season:

Barcelona have confirmed that Philippe Coutinho will undergo arthroscopic surgery on the lateral meniscus in his left knee in the coming days. The Brazilian midfielder had to come off against Eibar on Tuesday after an incident in which he did not have any contact with an opposition player.

Coutinho, a second-half substitute, was unable to continue and Barcelona had to play on with 10. The Barcelona doctors have examined the 28-year-old in the last few hours and determined that surgery is necessary.

The Catalan club have not stated when Coutinho will actually undergo surgery, but they have intimated that this will be in the coming days. The amount of time the playmaker will miss depends on how the surgery goes.The absence of Coutinho is a blow to Koeman’s plans, as the Brazilian is the type of player who could have helped Barcelona move in the right direction again.

United to pursue Aarons? (Transfer Market Web)

Could Manchester United being eyeing up one-time (alleged) Bayern Munich target Max Aarons? Well, maybe:

According to Daily Mirror, Manchester United are pushing their move towards English U21 international right-back Max Aarons (turning 21 on January 4). Norwich City up-and-comer is tracked by more top clubs, including Barcelona FC, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea, and is worth around 23 million euros.

Put a tent on that circus (@GFFN)

Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! Step right up...