Daily Schmankerl: Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala unlikely to go back to Chelsea; Leon Goretzka recognized for effort vs. Mainz; Real Madrid expected to push for Alphonso Davies next summer; Bayern to get Tottenham Hotspur’s Eric Dier; + MORE!

Moose unlikely to go back to Chelsea per one pundit (Chelsea News)

Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala has been linked to Manchester City, Liverpool FC, Real Madrid, and FC Barcelona among others; but one other club that has been rumored to have interest in the Germany international is Musiala’s former team, Chelsea FC.

However, Musiala might not be inclined to go back to the club he left just a few years ago:

Simon Phillips’ piece on Si Phillips talks Chelsea today has some really interesting updates on two potential transfer sagas involving truly world class players. His words on our interest in Victor Osimhen make a bid sound very likely. On the other hand, he’s very careful to play down any potential interest in Jamal Musiala.

Phillips says he’s “spoken to people close to Jamal Musiala” and that “I don’t see him coming back to Chelsea.” It’s a bitter blow, although in reality we’ve never been convinced that the attacking midfielder’s slowness to renew with Bayern is anything other than a tactic to get a better deal there.

Mauricio Pochettino’s involvement in all these deals is really played up here. He will be “heavily involved” all around in these things.

While we’re still sorting ourselves out, we have to be realistic about the type of players who will come to join us. We can certainly sign top players, but ones who are already at top clubs are going to be a challenge.

That’s why getting into the Champions League is so vital, and our race to get back up the table starts tomorrow afternoon.

Goretzka recognized for effort (kicker via @iMiaSanMia)

Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka had a goal, an assist, and a very ill-timed and unfortunate injury, which will keep him out of action for a few weeks. Regardless, his on-field performance earned him a spot on kicker’s Bundesliga Team of the Week:

Bavarian Podcast Works — Flagship Show: Season 6, Episode 15 (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich picked up a win this weekend in the Bundesliga over Mainz 05, but bigger challenges lie ahead and the squad is officially battling #InjuryBlitz2023.

Leon Goretzka became the latest Bayern Munich player to sustain an injury and the Germany international will be out of action until roughly mid-November if things heal properly.

During a season where depth was going to be an issue, the Bavarians are hitting one pothole after another on the pathway to success. Let’s take a look at what is on tap for this week’s episode:

• Some final thoughts on Bayern Munich’s big win over Mainz 05 in the Bundesliga.
• How will Thomas Tuchel replace Leon Goretzka in the central midfield? Konrad Laimer? Jamal Musiala? Raphaël Guerreiro?
• A preview of Bayern Munich vs. Galatasaray in the Champions League.

Bayern could still make play for Dier (Daily Mail)

The noise is getting a little louder regarding a potential pursuit of Tottenham Hotspur star Eric Dier by Bayern Munich:

Bayern Munich look set to raid Tottenham’s ranks for a second time in less than a year as they continue to sound out interest in a potential move for one of the club’s defenders. Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou has formed a new defensive partnership consisting of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, with the former regular falling down the pecking order at the club and struggling for minutes.

Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel has identified a need to recruit more defensive reinforcements in January, as the German giants target domestic and European success.

Eric Dier was given the opportunity to leave London in the summer, but decided against departing in favour of fighting for his place at the Premier League side, but an exit could now be sanctioned in January, according to BILD.

A centre-back is Tuchel’s main priority with versatile Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah at the top of his wishlist; however, there are concerns amongst Bayern’s board members over the 24-year-old. The unlikeliness of Chalobah arriving at the Allianz any time soon means Dier could be brought in as second choice, with the club keeping tabs on the 29-year-old’s availability.

Dier hasn’t made a single competitive appearance for Tottenham this season and has featured in just three Premier League squads, but was kept on the bench in those games against Sheffield United, Arsenal and Luton. Kim Min-jae and Matthijs de Ligt are Bayern’s main center-back partnership, but the lack of experienced replacements at the club could make for a crisis if injuries become a problem.

Dier’s contract at Tottenham expires in June next year meaning Bayern could sign a pre-contractual agreement with him in January with a bid to securing his services on a free transfer.

Madrid to ramp up Davies pursuit in summer (Bild via 90Min.com)

Real Madrid is expected to really ramp up its efforts on a pursuit of Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies during the summer transfer window:

Real Madrid will step up their efforts to sign Alphonso Davies once he enters the final year of his Bayern Munich contract next summer.

Right now, it does seem like there is a legitimate concern that Davies could bolt from Bayern Munich this summer. With Davies and his agent expected to hold talks with the Bavarians in the coming months, perhaps a breakthrough could happen that would keep the Canadian in Germany for years to come.

Bavarian Podcast Works: Postgame Show — Mainz 1-3 Bayern Munich (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich made a triumphant return from the international break with a 3-1 victory over Mainz 05.

It was not always pretty for the Bavarians, but there were some amazing sequences that gave fans a taste of how good this could all look once everyone is back in sync (and off of the injured list).

Even with a banged up crew, Thomas Tuchel was able to push the right buttons enough to coax a victory out of his boys.

Let’s take a look at what is on tap for this episode of the Postgame Show:

• A gander at Tuchel’s starting XI selections.
• A rundown of the scoring.
• Some thoughts on why the team’s defense looked so out of sorts at times.
• The lack of service to Harry Kane continues.
• Eyeing the positives of what could have been a disaster if Mainz could finish.

LFC to make move for Osimhen? (Daily Mirror via 90Min.com)

If there is any player’s name listed in the transfer rumor mill more than Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala these days, it is Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.

Now, it appears that Liverpool FC could be eyeing the high-scoring striker:

Liverpool view Victor Osimhen as a potential long-term replacement to Mohamed Salah should he depart the club in the near future. Osimhen’s time at Napoli could be coming to an end as a protracted contract saga rumbles on.

Bayern vs. Galatasaray: A prediction (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich will travel to Turkey with a makeshift roster and limited, usable depth should things get tight.

All of that, however, should not matter.

Galatasaray is relatively deep and does have good individual talent — which presents some risk. Bayern Munich, though, is simply better.

A few things to keep an eye on during the match:

• The starting XI — and who Thomas Tuchel uses to replace Leon Goretzka.
• The continued integration of Harry Kane into the Bayern Munich attack.
• The backline’s communication, positioning, and awareness (all were not great as a collective unit vs. Mainz 05).

Prediction: Galatasaray 1-3 Bayern Munich

Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Podcast: Season 3, Episode 15 (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich is back in action, the German national team made some progress, there are transfer rumors galore, and, overall, the craziness is back.

This episode of the Weekend Warm-up hits on much of that, so let’s get right to it and take a look at what is on tap:

• A preview of Bayern Munich vs. Mainz 05 — and why this could be a very important match under less-than-ideal conditions for the Bavarians (even if Manuel Neuer should be back).
• Some thoughts on the recent transfer rumors surrounding Jamal Musiala and why he might no longer be the fresh-faced phenom that fans have grown to love.
• Some final thoughts on the German national team’s recent set of games, the rumors of another documentary on the squad, and wondering what Julian Nagelsmann’s plan will be moving forward.