Daily Schmankerl: Bayern will not sell Hernandez to PSG, Ulreich to Stuttgart?

Bayern will not let Lucas Hernandez leave (Sport Bild)

Sport Bild followed up the latest rumor that Lucas Hernandez has asked Bayern Munich for permission to transfer out, specifically to Paris Saint-Germain. If you suspected the story seemed unlikely, pat yourself on the back:

According to Sport Bild’s information FC Bayern is ruling out selling [Hernandez] to the French. The club is counting on Hernandez for the coming season. He himself is also not thinking about a transfer.

That is precisely what Bayern has been saying all along, and frankly it would be extremely uncharacteristic for Bayern to turn around and sell their record transfer after a single disappointing season. They say never rule anything out in soccer, but it seems practically certain that Hernandez will be playing in Munich come next season.

Stuttgart comeback for Sven Ulreich, or perhaps Schalke? (Sport Bild)

It is all but certain that Sven Ulreich will leave Bayern this summer, but his destination remains unknown. According to Bild, a reunion with his home club VfB Stuttgart might be in the cards. Ulreich supposedly can “well imagine coming back to Stuttgart,” and Stuttgart will happen to need a starting goalkeeper unless they sign Gregor Kobel, on loan from Hoffenheim, permanently.

Ulreich supposedly has also attracted interest in the Premier League. In the Bundesliga, Hertha and Augsburg are reportedly interested, but perhaps the biggest potential suitor is Schalke 04.

Per Bild, Schalke 04 is seriously considering Bayern Munich’s long-term second keeper Sven Ulreich as a viable replacement for both their struggling goalkeepers: Alexander Nübel, who will transfer to Bayern this summer, and Markus Schubert, who will presumably be loaned out to gain more experience. Bild writes,

According to Bild’s information, a starting job would appeal to Nübel’s competitor (for now). Schalke could afford the small transfer fee, as well as his salary of about €2.5 million through equivalent departures (Bentaleb, Rudy).

It certainly would be paradoxical for Bayern to take Schalke’s first keeper on a free transfer and Schalke to take Bayern second keeper for a fee.

Ribery celebrates injury comeback for Fiorentina (AZ)

Robert Lewandowski was not the only athlete helped through a long injury layoff by the suspension of the season: Bayern legend Franck Ribery celebrated a “strong comeback” performance for Fiorentina in their 1-1 draw against Brescia.

Coach Beppe Iachini said, “Ribéry’s performance was very good despite the serious injury and the long months without competition.” Ribéry had to undergo surgery in December after suffering a serious ankle injury.

His teammate Gaetano Castrovilli said, “With Ribéry, we can cause problems for any opponent, and even the Italian press was glowing: “A few minutes suffice to realize how sorely this team missed Ribéry,” wrote the Gazzetta dello Sport.

As Tuttosport put it: “Le Roi Franck is back.”

Dieter Müller happy for Lewandowski to break his record (AZ)

Abendzeitung spoke with former striker Dieter Müller, who scored an astounding 34 goals with FC Köln in the 1976/77 Bundesliga season. Robert Lewandowski is one goal away from tying his record and two from breaking it. Müller is fine with that, he said:

I wouldn’t have any problem at all with that, I wouldn’t begrudge Lewandowski that, although such personal records are nice, of course. Lewandowski won’t, however, touch the 40 goals by Gerd Müller — nor will any other striker in the future. This mark will stay unbroken.

Müller was very complimentary of Lewandowski’s quality, while indulging in a little fun speculation of his own:

He is simply on a run and is supported by a very good team. In my view, Lewandowski is one of the best and most complete strikers of the past decade and currently the best attacker period. He has extraordinary abilities.

A complete striker, like myself back then. Perhaps I could score as many goals as Levandowski today if I were on his fitness level. (laughs) Although he also has the advantage of shooting significantly more penalties than I did.

Müller discussed fitness, coaching, and other changes to professional soccer since his day, but he also finds much that is the same.

“As I’ve heard, Hermann Gerland still always sends the players to the header pendulum,” Müller said. “Is that true?”

AZ: Yes, that’s true.

Müller continued, “I think that’s good and right. Correct header technique is important. That never did me any harm; I worked on the header pendulum for hours. It was no different under Horst Hrubesch in Hamburg.”

Yes, Arjen, you can hold it one more time

From Russia with lolz

While I admire his fortitude, I have to ask what the heck was his producer was thinking having him set up in front of a sprinkler?