Daily Schmankerl: Bayern Munich still wants Juventus star Federico Chiesa; Bernd Leno to leave Arsenal?; Jerome Boateng blamed for Lionel Messi injury; Julian Nagelsmann rides to training in style; and MORE!

Bayern still wants Chiesa (Bild via JuveFC.com)

We heard whispers over the summer that Bayern Munich — and especially coach Julian Nagelsmann — wanted to bring in Juventus star Federico Chiesa.

Well, those desires are still there but there is a catch: Borussia Dortmund is also interested:

Federico Chiesa is attracting the attention of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, according to Bild as reported by Calciomercato. The Italy international joined Juventus from Fiorentina last summer and his first season at the club was a fine one.

He took his form to Euro 2020 and helped Italy win the competition as one of their most outstanding players. His form at the Euros attracted the attention of several top clubs around Europe and Bayern remains keen.

The Bavarians are the biggest club in Germany and they want to maintain their dominance in the German game. They have now made Chiesa a target with their manager, Julian Nagelsmann reportedly a big fan of his.

The attacker is also attracting the attention of Dortmund that has spent the last decade trying to dethrone Bayern Munich. The attacker is untouchable at Juve at the moment, but everyone has his price in football and Juve’s financial struggles could force them to listen to offers for his signature.

Chiesa has reportedly not had a great start under Massimiliano Allegri and might not be a favorite of the coach...for whatever that is worth. Chelsea FC was also rumored to be interested in Chiesa just a few weeks ago.

Leno to leave Arsenal? (Sport 1)

It appears that Germany international Bernd Leno could see his tenure at Arsenal end:

Bernd Leno has been demoted to number two at Arsenal FC for the new season. Instead of the German national keeper, newcomer Aaron Ramsdale is now standing between the posts of the Gunners’ goal.

Leno’s time at the London club may now be over. The Daily Mail reports that the 29-year-old will be able to find a new club in January. Reports that seem plausible, as Arsenal are likely to have permanent plans with 23-year-old Ramsdale, who has cut a good figure so far. Leno’s contract with Arsenal runs until the summer of 2023.

Boateng blamed for Messi injury (Transfer Market Web)

Jerome Boateng and Lionel Messi are forever intertwined for the video of Messi — like he has done to so many defenders over the years — undressing Boateng. Now, though, Boateng has exacted his revenge if you believe a few select folks:

After Lionel Messi was effectively ruled out of Paris Saint-Germain’s next two games with bone bruising on his left knee, new footage has emerged showing a collision with Lyon defender Jérôme Boateng as the potential source of the injury.

On the footage, PSG’s number 30 appears to run into the German defender, right after releasing the pass for Neymar that led to the penalty for the team’s equalizer.

The Argentine was taken off by Mauricio Pochettino with 15 minutes to go against Lyon last weekend, in a precautionary measure which nevertheless drew a grimace from the former Barcelona man.

After follow-up tests at the start of the week showed that the forward had suffered bone bruising on his left knee – the same area he had sustained an injury on after a rough tackle on Argentina duty against Venezuela in September – Messi was ruled out of tonight’s trip to Metz. L’Équipe have reported yesterday that the six-time Ballon d’Or winner is also expected to miss out on the reception of Montpellier on Saturday night.

WTF Again (@FIVEUK)

I’m not even sure what to say (again):

Nagelsmann boards to practice (@J__Nagelsmann)

Julian Nagelsmann is just a different kind of coach:

Dortmund chasing City prodigy Delap? (Sport1)

Borussia Dortmund is said to be keen on Manchester City prospect Liam Delap:

Borussia Dortmund tried in the last second to sign a top talent from Manchester City in the summer transfer period. As the Daily Star reported with reference to Football Insider, BVB offered 15 million pounds (almost 18 million euros) for striker Liam Delap.

The son of Stoke legend Rory Delap is an absolute storm hope for the future. He scored 24 goals in 20 appearances for City’s U23s last season.

The 18-year-old has also played three times under Pep Guardiola and scored one goal.

Guardiola himself is said to have been the reason why City rejected the offer. The Spanish star coach is said to be a big fan of Delap and to have spoken out against the transfer. This is one of the reasons why the Sky Blues extended Delap’s contract long-term until 2026.

ICYMI: Bavarian Podcast Works Preview Show — Bayern travels to Greuther Fürth in a lopsided derby (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich travels to Greuther Fürth in a Bavarian derby this weekend. Fürth is at the bottom of the table with only one point to their name, having been thrashed by VfB Stuttgart on opening weekend. They lost to Hertha Berlin last weekend after having gone up a goal courtesy of a Branimir Hrgota penalty.

In this podcast, we take a look at some changes Julian Nagelsmann might make ahead of Bayern’s game against Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League in midweek; we also look at Greuther Fürth’s struggles and how we think this game will go. We wonder if Marcel Sabitzer might get a start and if Joshua Kimmich (gasp) might get a rest!