Daily Schmankerl: The aftermath of Bayern Munich vs. Ajax; Bayern Munich wants Chelsea’s Timo Werner; Liverpool fails on €100 million to Juventus for Federico Chiesa; Manchester City being patient on Harry Kane; and MORE!

Die Folgen: Bayern’s 2-2 draw with Ajax (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich earned a 2-2 draw with Ajax in what was a very entertaining match — as far as preseason friendlies go. We are learning a little bit more about Julian Nagelsmann and the young players on campus through week. Here are some quick hitters on what we saw in the match:

• Bayern Munich was scrambling defensively for most of the first half. Bouna Sarr, Dayot Upamecano, Tanguy Nianzou, and Josip Stanisic left holes in front of Sven Ulreich at times. Overall, though they were pretty solid and did not make any egregious mistakes. Even with giving up two goals, the defenders earned passing marks.
• Ulreich, of course, started the mess that led to the first goal with a bad pass. He did, however, make some excellent saves down the stretch to preserve the draw.
• Omar Richards starting further up the pitch was interesting and probably a bit of a trial to see if he was a possibility if he could be considered to help fill the fourth winger role. Richards should have buried one first half opportunity and didn’t get enough power on another that should have also been a goal. It seems like he has some good skills and talent to work with, but his finishing is very unrefined.
• Bayern Munich had trouble connecting offensively early, but got more comfortable working together as the game went on.
• None of the issues we saw from Bayern Munich were surprising or unexpected when mixing so many new and/or young players into the mix.
• It was a great setup by \Sarr on Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting’s goal. Michael Cuisance kept the play alive with a lunging play on the ball to find Sarr. For Sarr and Cuisance, that play seemed to boost both players into better efforts from that point forward.
• Torben Rhein does not look out of place playing at this level. His assist on Nianzou’s fantastic header goal was superb. This kid can play.
• Nianzou’s header was spectacular by the way.
• Armindo Sieb had some good moments, but was not as impactful in this match as he was last week...but that is okay. Sieb still showed a lot of skill and hunger and — along with Rhein — has been extremely impressive.
• Joshua Zirkzee’s miss right before halftime was really inexcusable. He had no reason to be that cocky even in a “one v none.” Ajax defender Perr Schuurs simply made the play with sheer will and by taking advantage of Zirkzee’s foolhardy decsion-making. The shame of that play is that Zirkzee was doing pretty well before that point and was decent overall. Like our own Phillip Quinn wrote, however, that one play was all anyone will remember about Zirkzee’s performance in that game.
• Cuisance was very good on the day and very active. He did have a couple of plays that I’m sure he’d like back, but that was progress for the midfielder.
• I loved the fearlessness of Bayern Munich second unit. They were fun, tried things, and were aggressive moving forward. It wasn’t always easy for them, but they made great use of their collective opportunity.

If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards, Observations, or Postgame Podcast, give them a look or a listen:

Bayern wants Werner per one source (Football Insider)

Per a report from Football Insider, they have a source that states that Bayern Munich is going to make a run at bringing in Chelsea FC’s Timo Werner:

Bayern Munich have set their sights on signing Chelsea striker Timo Werner, Football Insider can exclusively reveal. The Bundesliga giants are in the market for a centre-forward who can provide cover and competition for Roman Lewandowski and can eventually replace him.

A German source has told Football Insider that Bayern have a “concrete interest” in luring Werner, 25, from Stamford Bridge this summer. New manager Julian Nagelsmann is a huge admirer of the Germany international and knows him well from their time together at RB Leipzig.

Chelsea are open to offloading their 2020 signing from Leipzig, as this site first revealed on 10 March. A return to his homeland is a serious option for Werner and a move to Bayern would certainly appeal.

ICYMI: Bavarian Podcast Works: Weekend Warm-up Episode 9 (Bavarian Football Works)

We thought this would be a relatively dead week for Bayern Munich news, but we were WAY off.

Not only did we see some absolutely crazy news regarding the club’s current negotiations with some star players, but we got a hefty dose of “Robert Lewandowski is opening to leaving” news that made us think it was 2018 all over again. Anyway, here is what we have on tap for you:

• A look at the Sport Bild report detailing the issues with Bayern Munich’s contract negotiations with Leon Goretzka, Joshua Kimmich, and Kingsley Coman.
• How Leroy Sane’s deal from 2020 plays into that mess.
• Robert Lewandowski once again being linked to every big club with money.

LFC fails on nine figure bid for Chiesa (Transfer Market Web)

Apparently, Bayern Munich and Chelsea are not the only clubs to have failed on — allegedly — making a bid for Juventus tar Federico Chiesa. Enter Liverpool:

Repubblica reports that Liverpool have had a €100 million (£86m/$118m) bid for Juventus winger Federico Chiesa knocked back. The Italy international starred for his country in their Euro 2020 triumph and is now wanted by Premier League heavyweights.

Want to work out with Chris Richards? Here you go! (@FCBayernEN)

If you are looking to supplement your workout and always wanted to break a sweat with a Bayern Munich, @FCBayernEN has just the thing for you:

Zakaria wants out of M’Gladbach (@berger_pj)

Borussia Mönchengladbach sporting director Max Eberl acknowledged that midfielder Denis Zakaria wants to move on. Zakaria was linked to Bayern Munich last season:

City to wait out the Kane sweepstakes (Transfer Market Web)

It seems as it Manchester City is in no rush to overpay for Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane:

Manchester City are reportedly happy to wait for Tottenham to lower their asking price for Harry Kane, as Pep Guardiola’s side pursue the England skipper, per The Sun.

Spurs are hopeful that Manchester United could spark a bidding war for the player’s services, even as they continue to stress he will not leave north London this summer.

Kane’s desire to move in search of silverware and a need for transfer cash however may force the move in the end - and City are content to wait for a lower price than the £160m ($220m) currently set as his price tag.

If City does actually get this deal done, it will probably still overpay...just not as much as the insane amount Tottenham wants.

Wrexham says...”Go Birds!” (@Wrexham_AFC)

As most people know by now, Welsh club Wrexham AFC is partially owned by It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star Rob McElhenney and Deadpool himself Ryan Reynolds. To keep up with McElhenney’s real life Philadelphia roots, the club will feature a Philadelphia Eagles inspired green color for its away kit this upcoming season: