TriniTuner.com | Latest Event:
Moderator: 3ne2nr Mods
Bayern sign Bernat from Valencia for 5 years
Posted on Jul 07 via Andrew Zuber
German superpower Bayern Munich made a move to add to their back end on Monday morning, inking defender Juan Bernat from Valencia to a five-year contract.
The 21-year-old Spanish defender made 51 league appearances for Valencia since debuting at age 17 in 2011. He appeared for the Spanish National youth teams, representing every bracket between the under-16s to under-21s.
He made 49 total appearances for Valencia in 2013-14, scoring two goals and adding three assists while primarily featuring at left back.
Feature photo courtesy of Action Images/Matthew Childs
Report: Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas to join Bayern Munich this week
By Phillip Quinn @philneezy on Jul 7 2014, 5:24a 19
Navas will reportedly become Manuel Neuer's backup.
Bayern Munich currently employ the world's best goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. Bayern also currently have Tom Starkeunder contract for one more season. So, it makes perfect sense that they're about to sign another goalkeeper, right?
If reports out of Spain is to be believed, Bayern will soon activate the release clause in the contract of Levante and Costa Rica starting goalkeeper Keylor Navas. He was one of the stars of theWorld Cup helping lead Costa Rica on an improbable run to the quarterfinals. Atletico Madrid and Porto are also interested in signing him.
Navas has a €10 million buyout clause, and all three clubs repeatedly are willing to pay the fee. He is 27 years old, which is only one year younger than Neuer, so Navas choosing to join Bayern means that he is confident in his ability to overthrow Starke for the number two position. He's not going to beat out Neuer for the number one job.
Being able to sign Navas as the club's number two would be quite the coup. He's been seen as the "1B" to Tim Howard's "1A" in CONCACAF for quite some time now and being able to have a backup the quality of Navas is something that you can't really turn down, if he wants to join the club.
Real Madrid Transfer News: Toni Kroos Confirms Move Following World Cup Win
Fresh from winning the 2014 FIFA World Cup with Germany, Toni Kroos has confirmed he is on the move at club level. Kroos stated he will officially swap FC Bayern Munich for Real Madrid, per an interview with Brazilian internet service UOL (h/t TeamTalk.com): “We’ve finished the World Cup in the best way possible. Now I’m going to Madrid, so that’s two dreams achieved."
The transfer is a fantastic way for Kroos to cap a brilliant tournament. He achieved a moment of personal history as a victor in the final:
The diminutive playmaker's performances have been excellent in Brazil. Kroos has been a tireless creative hub at the heart of a supremely talented Germany midfield.
What the gifted 24-year-old offers Real Madrid is tactical flexibility. Kroos is equally comfortable in a deep-lying role as he is further forward, operating behind a striker.
His patience on the ball and creative distribution makes him an asset to the way his teams construct attacks. But Kroos' tremendous shooting power also makes him a major threat whenever he receives the ball just outside the box.
That level of versatility is something Los Blancos' chief Carlo Ancelotti will savour. The Italian coach often likes to mix various formations ranging from 4-1-2-1-2 to a loose and fluid 4-3-3.
Kroos gives Ancelotti a lot of options. He could slot the young German alongside Croatian technical wizard Luka Modric.
That would give Madrid two pass masters at the heart of midfield. Kroos would certainly offer more energy than the ageing Xabi Alonso.
Alternatively, Kroos could be deployed further forward to support the strikers. He might hover in that halfway position Ancelotti used to make stars of first Kakaat AC Milan, then Angel Di Maria last season in Madrid.
Of the two options, the former seems more likely. Kroos is at his best when he is given the freedom of the halfway line and license to push forward when he chooses.
That option is all the more likely when considering Ancelotti's interest in Colombia and AS Monaco star James Rodriguez. The 23-year-old has been linked with a switch to the Bernabeau byJeremy Wilson of The Telegraph, among others.
[http://img]
Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
Madrid still want Colombia ace James Rodriguez to partner Kroos in a new-look midfield.
Rodriguez, who thrived at the World Cup, is a natural No. 10. He would be the perfect option as Ancelotti's attacking midfielder turned supporting striker.
Kroos can offer ample industry and guile behind Madrid's star-studded forward line. Those qualities made him a star for Germany and will make him an instant hit with the UEFA Champions League winners.
Adding Kroos refreshes a midfield that needs a revamp if Ancelotti is going to capture the La Liga crown from city rivals Atletico this season.
How Bayern Munich Will Line Up in the Telekom Cup
Having completed more than two weeks of training, Bayern Munich face their first pre-season friendly matches againstBundesliga opposition this weekend in the Telekom Cup.
The German record champions first meetBorussia Monchengladbach on Saturday; depending on results, they will take on either Hamburg or Wolfsburg the following day.
Many Bayern players are still on extended leave following the World Cup, and with two 60-minute games being held in back-to-back days, there should be plenty of opportunities for fringe players to make an impression. Pep Guardiola isn't always the most predictable coach, but here's a good estimation as to the starting line-up he may use against Gladbach.
Goalkeeper: Tom Starke
Manuel Neuer is on extended leave following the World Cup, so Tom Starkewill be his stand-in. The ex-Hoffenheim man remains Bayern's only reserve goalkeeper with more than a few games of professional experience.

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press
Right-Back: Rafinha
Rafinha wasn't selected to the Brazilian World Cup squad, but he has long been and still remains a favored player forGuardiola. Per Transfermarkt, the 28-year-old made 46 appearances last season, 40 of which came as a starter.
With the trainer announcing, as per German outlet Spox, in a Thursday press conference that Philipp Lahm will play in midfield to replace the departed ToniKroos, Rafinha has no real competition for a starting role at right-back. And in any case, Lahm has not yet returned to training, so the Brazilian can expect to start on the right of defense.
Centre-Back: Javi Martinez
Javi Martinez was the first of Bayern's World Cup participants to return to training. The Spain international returned to normal club activities this week and will be keen to put a dismal performance in Brazil behind him. With many of his potential competitors still on vacation, Martinez has a good chance to make an impression of himself in preseason. That will likely begin against Gladbach.
Centre-Back: Holger Badstuber
Guardiola was full of praise for HolgerBadstuber this week; per German paper Bild, he said the 25-year-old is the best centre-back he's ever coached. Not bad for a player returning following back-to-back cruciate ligament surgeries. With Jerome Boateng and Dante still on leave, there's no doubt Badstuber will start.
Left-Back: Juan Bernat
New signing Juan Bernat played all 90 minutes in Bayern's most recent match against Duisburg, and he's most likely to start again on the left wing as David Alabacontinues to play in midfield. The newcomer and Spain under-21 international appears to have a bright future ahead of him in Munich.

Markus Schreiber/Associated Press
Central Midfielder: Pierre Hojbjerg
With Kroos having left Bayern and BastianSchweinsteiger, Lahm and Martinez not at full fitness following the World Cup, PierreHojbjerg can expect to earn a considerable amount of playing time in the Telekom Cup and perhaps beyond. The 18-year-old is inexperienced but has tremendous potential. The Dane played 90 minutes against Duisburg and can expect to start against Gladbach.
Central Midfielder: David Alaba
Alaba is arguably the world's best left-back, but Guardiola now intends to use him in midfield. At his press conference on Thursday, Guardiola spoke of the 22-year-old's qualities and abilities as a central midfielder (a "six" or "eight"), and the trainer deployed Alaba in such a role in the Duisburg friendly. Thus, it seems clear the Austria international will play in midfield during the Telekom Cup.
Right-Winger: Lucas Scholl
Like his father, Mehmet, Lucas Scholl is an emerging attacking midfield talent to keep an eye on. He only turned 18 earlier this month and has a long way to go, but he has looked bright on occasion during the pre-season. It's tough to say exactly whoGuardiola will use on the right wing against Gladbach, but there's a good chance it will be a young talent, and Schollcertainly would fit the bill.
Left-Winger: Franck Ribery
Franck Ribery returned to training following a prolonged injury layoff and completed his first session with the squad on Tuesday. In his press conference,Guardiola said that the French winger can expect some considerable playing time during the Telekom Cup. And with every other established option unavailable following the World Cup, Ribery will probably start.

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press
Supporting Striker: Claudio Pizarro
Like Ribery, Claudio Pizarro returned to training earlier this week and has a good chance of starting. The 35-year-old may be in the twilight of his career but showed last season that he's still capable of more than a few tricks. The Telekom Cup will be a good measure of what he has to offer in his advanced years.
Striker: Robert Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski scored his first goal for Bayern in the Duisburg friendly, putting Bayern ahead before FabianSchnellhardt equalized for the 3. Liga side. The Poland international is his club's only centre-forward under the age of 35, and Guardiola heaped praise upon him in Thursday's press conference.Lewandowski can expect to be the go-to man for the striker role during the weekend cup.
Return to “Ole talk and more Ole talk”
Users browsing this forum: Bing [Bot] and 69 guests
