Daily Schmankerl: Erling Haaland to impact Bayern Munich’s plans with Robert Lewandowski?; Benjamin Pavard made pundit angry; Real Madrid and Liverpool to swap Eden Hazard and Mo Salah?; PSG wants Sergio Aguero; and MORE!

Haaland’s decision to impact Bayern planning? (Sport Bild via @iMiaSanMia)

According to a report from Sport Bild (via Twitter account @iMiaSanMia), if Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland shows interest in a move to Bayern Munich, the Bavarians could potentially adjust their plans on a possible extension for star striker Robert Lewandowski:

Wow...talk about a tough choice. Stay with the current best player in the game — or invest in a player who could one day be at that level and is far younger?

As I always say, though...why not both?

Di Meco says Pavard should not have given interview (Transfer Market Web)

Former Olympique Marseille defender Eric Di Meco does not think Bayern Munich Benjamin Pavard should have pleaded his case to the media on trying to convince people he is a good player:

This weekend, Benjamin Pavard took advantage of an interview with Canal + to express his dissatisfaction with the treatment he receives from the French public.

Tired of being criticized, the 2018 world champion demanded more respect. But for Eric Di Meco, the Bayern Munich defender should not have responded to criticism. And here’s why:

“I remember his debut in Lille. He is the world champion, he plays for Bayern and he will stop at criticism when he has a manager who trusts him. He has to be on top and most of all, he has to be aware that when he does this kind of outing, he is lending a cove. When he makes the comparison with Hakimi and Alexander-Arnold, he suffers from the comparison. We have to be aware that we have had a shortage of right-backs in France for a long time. Just be aware of how lucky you are, how generational you are. He benefits from a lack of a right-back in his generation and a coach who does not hesitate to play central defenders in the corridors. Take advantage of that, ” he told RMC Sport.

I’m in the minority these days, but I do not think Pavard is an awful player. The Frenchman, however, did not help himself by giving that extensive interview with Canal+. I understand what he was trying to say and the point he was trying to make, but it did not come across as he intended and he just reeked of “woe is me” — which is an awful look for any professional athlete.

Granted, Pavard is not looking remotely as bad as Ben Simmons looks in Philadelphia (what a petulant, spineless, and soft baby he is) right now, but Pavard just needs to let his play on the pitch do the talking for him. Until he gets all of that straightened out on the pitch, talk is cheap.

I actually like Pavard’s game and what he can bring to a squad, but he has not been great this season and it seems like things have gotten into his head a bit. If I had to pick an outcome for him, I’d almost say he just needs a change of scenery and to go to a club that will play him at center-back. I’d like to see Bayern Munich keep him (especially if Niklas Süle bolts), but it really might be best for him to start over.

Anyway, if you missed our coverage of the story — or if you just want more of a reason to pile on Pavard — check out Ineednoname’s extensive coverage of the interview in the related stories below.

Hazard for Salah swap? LOL (Sport1)

I may have no affinity for Real Madrid or Liverpool, but this kind of looked funny to me as an outsider to both clubs. Liverpool’s Mo Salah is having a fantastic season, while Eden Hazard has never found himself after moving to Real Madrid. Naturally, they are linked in a swap deal rumor:

The Eden Hazard rumors are not ebbing. From week to week it seems clearer that the future of the Belgian does not lie with Real Madrid. Latest comments in the British press: a mega swap between Los Blancos and Liverpool FC. As the Sun reports, Real plans to offer Jürgen Klopp Hazard’s club plus additional millions for Mo Salah.

The Egyptian Salah is one of the main transfer targets. Hazard came to Madrid in the summer of 2019 for the club’s record fee of 115 million euros, but has not yet been able to meet the high expectations in the Spanish capital. The Eden Hazard rumors are not ebbing. From week to week it seems clearer that the future of the Belgian does not lie with Real Madrid. Latest comments in the British press: a mega swap between Los Blancos and Liverpool FC. As the Sun reports, Real plans to offer Jürgen Klopp Hazard’s club plus additional millions for Mo Salah.

The Egyptian Salah is one of the main transfer targets. Hazard came to Madrid in the summer of 2019 for the club’s record fee of 115 million euros, but has not yet been able to meet the high expectations in the Spanish capital.

I’m not going to lie...part of me wants this to happen just to see the reaction of our resident Liverpool fan, Tommy Adams.

PSG wants Aguero (Transfer Market Web)

Paris Saint-Germain might make a push to bring in FC Barcelona’s Sergio Aguero...in an effort to keep Lionel Messi happy. Mauro Icardi would then head to Barca in return:

According to El Nacional, Paris Saint-Germain has offered Barcelona a player exchange in order to keep Lionel Messi happy at the club.

Lionel Messi left Barcelona during the summer transfer window after the club’s leadership claimed that it would be impossible to maintain him due to financial restrictions. The Argentine quickly agreed to terms with Paris Saint-Germain, who not only gave him a wonderful project but also several friends.

Sergio Aguero will transfer to Paris, while Mauro Icardi would return to Barcelona, according to the planned deal. Both strikers would be swapped on a like-for-like basis in the Argentine deal.

If anything, a PSG acquisition of Aguero could potentially make them less likely to engage in a pursuit of Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski. So...go for it!

Bayern vs. Benfica — Bonus Prediction (Bavarian Football Works)

Because I am dolt, I forgot to throw this prediction in the latest Weekend Warm-up. So...here you go:

Benfica is a strong, proud, and veteran-laden squad that will not go down easy — especially on their home turf. Bayern Munich, however, is just too deep and too talented for the home team, even with missing Alphonso Davies and potentially being without Leon Goretzka.

Julian Nagelsmann will have some interesting line-up decisions to make, but even if he has to shift Lucas Hernandez to left-back and use Marcel Sabitzer in the starting XI, the Bayern Munich squad will be strong.

Prediction: Benfica 0-3 Bayern Munich

Bavarian Podcast Works: Preview Show — Bayern Munich vs. Benfica (Bavarian Football Works)

Ah...the Champions League is back, baby!

Bayern Munich will travel to Lisbon, Portugal to take on Benfica in what should be a very entertaining match between an extremely deep and talented squad for the visitors and an experienced, veteran squad in Benfica.

Here is what we have on tap for this episode:

• The recent form of both clubs.
• A couple of players that Bayern Munich fans should keep an eye on: Darwin Nunez and Julian Weigl. Nunez has been loosely linked to the Bavarians, while Weigl is a one-time Borussia Dortmund and German national team prospect, who seems to have found a comfort zone in Portugal.
• A prediction for the lineup and why we could see Lucas Hernandez at eft-back and Marcel Sabitzer filling in for Leon Goretzka.
• A prediction on the final score.

So, so good (@FCBayernUS)

Seeing Robert Lewandowski magnificent back-heel goal from all of these angles is just cool:

Reinier to Benfica? (Sport1)

Could Borussia Dortmund’s Reinier be on his way to Benfica? There are some whispers about a move:

The 19-year-old Brazilian, who is on loan from Real Madrid until the end of the season, is said to be in concrete negotiations with Benfica Lisbon. This is reported by the Spanish AS .

Accordingly, the environment of the offensive player assumes that the contract in Dortmund will be terminated in January. At Benfica, Reinier would meet his former coach Jorge Jesus, under whom he made his breakthrough at Flamengo.

At BVB, however, the winger never really got a chance. “He has to show it in every training session and at a high level in the Bundesliga and the Champions League and be able to offer himself sustainably in training, every day for weeks. We all see what an excellent footballer he is, ”said coach Marco Rose last time.

He may soon be able to prove his qualities at Benfica.

ICMYI: Bavarian Podcast Works S4E11 (Bavarian Football Works)

An international break just ended and Bayern Munich roared back into action with a dominant 5-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen. This game was supposed to a huge test for Julian Nagelsmann, as Leverkusen were unbeaten in the Bundesliga and were off to one of their best ever starts in the league. Safe to say, die Werkself didn’t put up much of a fight.

In this episode, Tom and Ineednoname discuss:

• The outcome of the Leverkusen game, and how convincing Nagelsmann seems so far.
• The big positives that we see in the team.
• What improvements are still needed.
• How Lucas Hernandez’ legal issues affect Bayern Munich’s image.
• What happens if Lucas goes to prison? Discussing the depth issue, especially the consequences for Alphonso Davies.
• The dead-end careers of both Michael Cuisance and Marc Roca.