Daily Schmankerl: Real and Barca to poach Kimmich in 2021, Coutinho to Juventus, Sancho better than Lewandowski? And more!

Real Madrid and Barca planning to poach Kimmich in 2022 (Don Balon)

I made a tweet just so I could share this wonderful picture from Don Balon:

Yes, the Don is back at it. Their latest big headline is “A Star Is Born: Real Madrid and Barça are already jostling for him.”

A star is born?! Maybe reborn? Anyway, Don Balon argues that Joshua Kimmich is “the new major objective of the two great Spanish giants.” Kimmich supposedly fits the profile that both clubs want to a tee.

Alas, how to get the man most people think is the obvious next choice to captain Bayern Munich? Kimmich’s market valuable is €65 million, notes the Don, “an amount not unreasonable for a player who has an incredible present and future still ahead.” Ah, but he is under contract until 2023. That likely means an immediate transfer is off.

But there’s hope: although Kimmich’s contract situation and the economic downturn make signing him this summer a “Mission: Impossible” for either Real or Barca, they are planning to strike in 2021. Ergo: “It is unknown for now where the future of Joshua Kimmich will be if he decides to leave Munich.” Truer words, truer words...

Phillipe Coutinho — Heading to Juventus? (Daily Star via Tuttosport)

The Italian outlet claims that the Turin-based club are the latest to have inquired about Coutinho’s availability. And, if he moves to Juventus, Coutinho will presumably play a role similar to Paulo Dybala. Therefore, with someone coming in at his position, it’s possible that we could see Dybala leave the Italian Champions. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is a know admirer of the Argentine’s talents. Could we see Dybala at Bayern Munich soon?

Sancho, Thuram, McKennie, Richards show solidarity with Justice for George Floyd

Jadon Sancho scored a hat trick in Borussia Dortmund’s 6-1 victory against Paderborn. However, that was not his most notable action during the match. After scoring Dortmund’s second, the Englishman took off his jersey, exposing a under-shirt with “Justice for George Floyd” written on it. He stated after the game that “We have to come together as one and fight for justice.”

Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Marcus Thuram took a knee as his goal celebration after scoring in the Foals’ 4-1 rout of Union Berlin:

Schalke’s American midfielder Weston McKennie took to the field with a homemade “Justice for George” armband:

Bayern Munich’s own Chris Richards, who scored the decisive 2-1 goal for Bayern II on Saturday, posted his own poignant message in support of the movement:

Hansi Flick rewards Cuisance for his hard work (Sport1)

Michael Cuisance came on at half-time during Bayern’s 5-0 smashing of Fortuna Dusseldorf and played in centre-midfield for the remainder of the game. The youngster impressed in his 45 minutes on the pitch, showing excellent ball control, vision and confidence. He didn’t look out of place next to his world class teammates.

After the match, coach Hansi Flick spoke to the press. On Cuisance, he said, “That was the reward for his very, very good training performances in the past few weeks and months. He has developed positively, so we decided that he would play longer today.”

With Bayern having a comfortable lead at half-time, Bayern were in firm control of the game. Therefore, the team was able to make early substitutions and allow bench players like Cuisance, minutes on the pitch. Flick said, “He would have come on sooner than later anyway, but we used the situation and put Michael on the 8,” Flick added. “In my opinion, he did that very well.”

Even Antoine Griezmann congratulated and praised Cuisance for a good game afterward on Cuisance’s Instagram post:

PSG join the race for Sergino Dest (France Football)

According to France Football, PSG have shown an interest in signing the American right-back. This is because Thomas Meunier is set to depart the Parisians after running down his contract. In recent months, Bayern have appeared to be favourites for signing Dest. However, given Benjamin Pavard’s outstanding performances and uncertainty because of the Coronavirus situation, interest from Munich has cooled. Could PSG or any other club sign Dest from under Bayern’s nose?

Jadon Sancho — better than Robert Lewandowski?

After scoring three goals in Dortmund’s latest win, Sancho has become the player with the most goal contributions in all of Europe’s top leagues. His 17 goals and 16 assists — making 33 goal involvements, surpass that of Lionel Messi (31) and even Bayern’s Robert Lewandowwski (32) — arguably the two “best” footballers in the world. Moreover, Sancho is the first player in the top five leagues to exceed both 15+ goals and assists this season — also becoming the first Englishman to achieve the feat since Matt “Le God” Le Tissier in the 90s. Sancho is quite the player, and really should be considered among the best in the world.