Daily Schmankerl: Matthäus argues Werner fits Bayern better than Sané, players send condolences to Guardiola, Havertz joins #WeKickCorona

Lothar Matthäus: Timo Werner fits Bayern better than Leroy Sané (SkySport.de)

In his personal column “That’s how I see it” (“So sehe ich das”) for Sky Sport, Bayern legend, ambassador, and all-around Fußball-Experte Lothar Matthäus has jumped aboard the #TimoTime hype-train. Here is what he had to say about Werner (at the bottom of his column):

My weakness for Timo Werner is sufficiently well-known. And I do not want to say that I do not think Leroy Sané is fantastic. But you gradually get the feeling that Flick and also Kahn see Timo Werner as the player who might fit this club better in many regards. He is more flexible on the pitch, his character also potentially corresponds to the front office’s ideal a little bit more, too. The threat of trouble and “bling-bling” is significantly lower with him. He can play all the way in front in Lewandowski’s place, as second striker, or on the wings. And he also may be cheaper.

Matthäus adds that he never understood why Bayern failed to sign Werner “when he was served to them on a silver platter, but better late than never.” Matthäus is careful not to slight Sané, but his verdict could not be clearer.

Pep Guardiola’s mother has died of the coronavirus

Several of his players at Bayern and Manchester City expressed their condolences on social media:

Bayern’s potential training kits leaked (Footy Headlines)

Kai Havertz joins #WeKickCorona (SPORT1)

German national player and highly sought-after Bayer Leverkusen star Kai Havertz has joined Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka’s campaign to raise funds for social and charitable projects for coronavirus relief. He’s the sixth member of the Werkself to join the cause, including former Bayern academy player Mitchell Weiser.

#WeKickCorona has already raised €3.7 million in donations.

Heung-Min Son to complete mandatory military service

FIFA extends 2019/20 season indefinitely (The Athletic)

According to The Athletic,

FIFA is to confirm an indefinite extension to the 2019-20 season across the globe, allowing each country’s football authority to determine when campaigns can finish.

FIFA will also change the dates of the upcoming summer transfer window and allow clubs to extend players whose contracts expire at the end of June.

The Athletic anticipates that the changes will be made public within the next day or two. FIFA is allowing the various federations to respond in their own way in light of the fact that the coronavirus pandemic has affected countries in very different ways. The extension of the season is also intended to prevent federations from canceling the remainder of the 2019/20 season outright, as Belgium recently voted to do.

Cuisance ribs publication for wrong photo

Michael Cuisance had a good laugh online after spotting an article about himself that featured Fiete Arp in their main picture.

I may have resumed training, but that’s not me in the photo! That’s Fiete Arp!

New FIFA corruption probe over FOX’s rights to 2018, 2022 World Cup (Reuters)

Shocking, I know. Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn have revealed new charges in the ongoing FIFA corruption probe. Here’s how Reuters puts it:

U.S. prosecutors on Monday accused two former 21st Century Fox Inc executives of paying millions of dollars in bribes to secure lucrative media and marketing rights to soccer matches, the latest charges in a long-running investigation of corruption surrounding FIFA, soccer’s world governing body.

SI soccer journalist Grant Wahl posted the indictment on Twitter and noted that the investigators detailed bribes to specific FIFA officials in exchange for their votes.

Go ride a bike (responsibly)!

Stay fit with Lewandowski!