Bastian Schweinsteiger | Signed for MUFC - confirmed.

[Varun]

From what I've read, Pep sees a more limited role for Schweinsteiger and that's why he might leave. He probably realises that you can't plan a team including a player that's injured more and more, whilst being past his peak.

He isn't really past his peak, just been injured this season. None of those injuries seem chronic either like a problem with the back or some muscle giving way again and again.

Pep has options in midfield we can only dream of. Even if a limited role is one of the reasons(I don't know how true it is because I see him starting if fit @Balu could help), why should that be a negative for us? If Real were to buy aguero and make benzema available for that reason, will it be a negative?

He'd be better off staying at Bayern then, like I said. He's not the same physically, so why leave to a more competitive league. Especially to a club that hasn't competed for 2 years.

We need to be building a team for the future, not trying to plug holes in our squad in an attempt to win something during LVGs tenure. This is the approach Inter and AC Milan took and look what happened to them.

Because as a player he'd like a new challenge while he's still good? As I said, it's not about the money, he'd get what he wants there. As a player, I could definitely see him wanting a new experience and challenge.

Milan held onto their stars too long and eventually had no money to be competitive for any good player. A problem worsened by the state in Italy. We're not in the same boat at all.

The talk about building for the future and not really focusing on the present won't ever be true for us. LVG has been told to deliver the title in 3 years. He has 2yrs left to do so. The commercial side which we focus on so heavily is hugely reliant on our success. We'll always be looking to win things every season while building for the future at the same time which is how a club like ours should operate.

 

[Varun]

Injury prone 31 year old who plays for a team that walks to the league, moving to a team who'll expect him to be the defensive rock of the side in a far more physical league and the expectations are for the team to challenge for the league title.

He's a quality player no doubt but at 31 and his injuries being what they are it doesn't bode well I fear!

He missed 2 league games since returning from injury in November.

 

[Ananke]

He isn't really past his peak, just been injured this season. None of those injuries seem chronic either like a problem with the back or some muscle giving way again and again.

Pep has options in midfield we can only dream of. Even if a limited role is one of the reasons(I don't know how true it is because I see him starting if fit @Balu could help), why should that be a negative for us? If Real were to buy aguero and make benzema available for that reason, will it be a negative?



Because as a player he'd like a new challenge while he's still good? As I said, it's not about the money, he'd get what he wants there. As a player, I could definitely see him wanting a new experience and challenge.

Milan held onto their stars too long and eventually had no money to be competitive for any good player. A problem worsened by the state in Italy. We're not in the same boat at all.

The talk about building for the future and not really focusing on the present won't ever be true for us. LVG has been told to deliver the title in 3 years. He has 2yrs left to do so. The commercial side which we focus on so heavily is hugely reliant on our success. We'll always be looking to win things every season while building for the future at the same time which is how a club like ours should operate.

Bingo.

 

[Kag]

If it's Schweiny plus another (Schnedierlin?) then fine. But we can't pin all our hopes on him to resolve the midfield.

For a club of our size, we should be aiming for young, talented players who have started to show genuine promise and integrate them with the experienced players we have at the club already (Rooney, Carrick, Valencia etc)

I largely agree with both points, however, the Falcao comparison is a big exaggerative. Schweinstieger has had a few injuries but he isn't coming off the back of an ACL either. It's a risk worth taking.

I think we are aiming for young, talented players. We did last summer and we have done so already this season in the form of Depay. But, we also lack leadership and title-winning knowhow. Bringing in the likes of Bastian, a player the manager trusts, and Valdes before that, can only help to instil the right sort of attitude throughout the squad.

 

[JPRouve]

That's the path we seem to be taking this summer, i.e. if rumors are to be belived. Imagine a squad consisting of Valdes, Schweini, Ramos, Young, Rooney, Valencia, Nani - a year or two down the line, all of them past 30, sitting with 3 or 4 years left on their mega contracts...Yikes.

Yeah, because we never signed Depay, Herrera, Mata and Shaw or Promoted Januzaj, Mcnair, Wilson or Pereira. And of course we are not linked with Fabinho, Schneiderlin, Firmino or Varane.

Lately we focused on old players, right?

 

[pocco]

He isn't really past his peak, just been injured this season. None of those injuries seem chronic either like a problem with the back or some muscle giving way again and again.

Pep has options in midfield we can only dream of. Even if a limited role is one of the reasons(I don't know how true it is because I see him starting if fit @Balu could help), why should that be a negative for us? If Real were to buy aguero and make benzema available for that reason, will it be a negative?



Because as a player he'd like a new challenge while he's still good? As I said, it's not about the money, he'd get what he wants there. As a player, I could definitely see him wanting a new experience and challenge.

Milan held onto their stars too long and eventually had no money to be competitive for any good player. A problem worsened by the state in Italy. We're not in the same boat at all.

The talk about building for the future and not really focusing on the present won't ever be true for us. LVG has been told to deliver the title in 3 years. He has 2yrs left to do so. The commercial side which we focus on so heavily is hugely reliant on our success. We'll always be looking to win things every season while building for the future at the same time which is how a club like ours should operate.

There's enough players out there that would achieve both, as opposed to potentially making us successful if they stay injury free.

 

[Acole9]

I would love to see him here, he's exactly what we need and would add some steal to the midfield.

 

[Kag]

We need to be building a team for the future, not trying to plug holes in our squad in an attempt to win something during LVGs tenure. This is the approach Inter and AC Milan took and look what happened to them.

Funny, sounds exactly like the club I've been supporting over the past half decade.

 

[LilRicky]

He missed 2 league games since returning from injury in November.

Slightly more, nonetheless he has missed 50 games in the last two seasons.

http://www.transfermarkt.com/bastian-schweinsteiger/verletzungen/spieler/2514

 

[Insanity]

Yeah, because we never signed Depay, Herrera, Mata and Shaw or Promoted Januzaj, Mcnair, Wilson or Pereira. And of course we are not linked with Fabinho, Schneiderlin, Firmino or Varane.

Lately we focused on old players, right?

The promoted players you mentioned didn't get many chances last season, despite one of them having a break-out season a year before.

Actually, if we sign these oldies then that will only limit the chances of some of the youngsters you mentioned. Also, I don't know why you mentioned Schneiderlin or Varane when signing the two, which apparently the club have briefed the media about, would mean an end to their pursuit, i.e. if there was any.

Mata, Herrera, Shaw are already our players and I was talking about this transfer window. Don't know why you'd list them.

Was that response okay, or should I have responded with the same child like sarcasm you did?

 

[Varun]

There's enough players out there that would achieve both, as opposed to potentially making us successful if they stay injury free.

Go on then. Top CMs that are available?

Regarding the injury, again. People seem to make him out as someone that has constant injuries. Since he's been back from his layoff in Nov, he's missed just 2 games.

 

[LilRicky]

I largely agree with both points, however, the Falcao comparison is a big exaggerative. Schweinstieger has had a few injuries but he isn't coming off the back of an ACL either. It's a risk worth taking.

I think we are aiming for young, talented players. We did last summer and we have done so already this season in the form of Depay. But, we also lack leadership and title-winning knowhow. Bringing in the likes of Bastian, a player the manager trusts, and Valdes before that, can only help to instil the right sort of attitude throughout the squad.

It's a risk as you say and if there is a risk then we should have a safety net, another player there that can ideally play as a #6 or #8. With the increase in games next season the injuries will most likely continue unabated, there's a good chance we could see Carrick and Schweinsteiger injured at the same time so having say Schneiderlin there too would be ideal.

That's my only issue with it really, we do need experience as you say. Our defence when put under the slightest pressure is an embarrassment, we do need some older, composed heads around in situations like that.

 

[Kag]

It's a risk as you say and if there is a risk then we should have a safety net, another player there that can ideally play as a #6 or #8. With the increase in games next season the injuries will most likely continue unabated, there's a good chance we could see Carrick and Schweinsteiger injured at the same time so having say Schneiderlin there too would be ideal.

That's my only issue with it really, we do need experience as you say. Our defence when put under the slightest pressure is an embarrassment, we do need some older, composed heads around in situations like that.

I agree. I really want Schneiderlin also. Our midfield would have just about everything needed to compete right at the top.

 

[Mali_Zeus]

Normal circumstances are what they've had all their careers in that they play every week, at their peak and everybody is happy. Being forced out/falling out with your club or told you're not as important to the team isn't normal circumstances.

there's nothing un normal about it.
That happens all the time. Schweinsteiger hasn fallen out with the club, Bayern told him if he wants to sign a new contract he can and if he wants to go he can do that to. So he's not forced out nor he fell out with the club.
So if he wants a new challenge there's nothing strange about it..

 

[Varun]

Slightly more, nonetheless he has missed 50 games in the last two seasons.

http://www.transfermarkt.com/bastian-schweinsteiger/verletzungen/spieler/2514

No. I referred to games since his return from injury in Nov. Missed 2 league games due to injury, 1 CL game and 1 cup game. All 4 games during the 10 day period when he was injured. The season before that, 1 lengthy lay off for 3 months. Didnt miss any game before or after that.

He's been injured both seasons. People are confusing that with being "injury prone". Both are different.

 

[Insanity]

Here's a good post on his availability.

He plays harder and better for the national team than at club level in recent years, likely cause he can ignore/tolerate his nagging injury problems better for a four week tournament.

Bundesliga seasons (started games)

16 of 34 (2014/2015)
22 of 34
27 of 34
18 of 34
31 of 34 (2010/2011)
33 of 34
31 of 34

The fee is small, but there is risk attached to the signing.

Also as Mueller put it so nicely: Whether I know where Schweini is? I don´t know where the women´s tour is this week. He followed Ivanovic to Australia during the winter break (not exactly a short trip) and to England between the end of the Bundesliga season and the EC qualifier. So his priorities might be shifting a bit, too.

He didn't just have injury trobles last season. Actually, he has only had one relatively injury free season in the last 4.

 

[LilRicky]

I agree. I really want Schneiderlin also. Our midfield would have just about everything needed to compete right at the top.

I know people will say we have Blind, but for me Blind should be put at LB. I've said it elsewhere today, his best matches for us were in our little winning streak and him at LB linking up beautifully with Fellaini and Herrera. If we keep him there he will only get better. Shaw should be given time to prove his fitness and then fight for his spot at LB next season, he's still young and has time on his side.

 

[JPRouve]

The promoted players you mentioned didn't get many chances last season, despite one of them having a break-out season a year before.

Actually, if we sign these oldies then that will only limit the chances of some of the youngsters you mentioned. Also, I don't know why you mentioned Schneiderlin or Varane when signing the two, which apparently the club have briefed the media about, would mean an end to their pursuit, i.e. if there was any.

Mata, Herrera, Shaw are already our players and I was talking about this transfer window. Don't know why you'd list them.

Was that response okay, or should I have responded with the same child like sarcasm you did?

So for you, signing young players one window and signing experienced and young players the next window is a similar approach to Milan?

 

[buckooo1978]

He's a rare breed

a top midfield player who looks obtainable without paying buckets on money

it all depends on the player himself and Pep

how important is Schweinsteiger to his plans next year?

does the player feel happy to uproot his family and leave a club he's become synonymous with the last 5/6 seasons for a new challenge with a big pay hike I'd imagine?

 

[Varun]

He's a rare breed

a top midfield player who looks obtainable without paying buckets on money

it all depends on the player himself and Pep

how important is Schweinsteiger to his plans next year?

does the player feel happy to uproot his family and leave a club he's become synonymous with the last 5/6 seasons for a new challenge with a big pay hike I'd imagine?

Doubt that's too much of a factor. Bayern are more than capable of paying what we'd pay him. He'd already be on the 10-12mil mark I believe and would get an extension at the same figure.

 

[LilRicky]

No. I referred to games since his return from injury in Nov. Missed 2 league games due to injury, 1 CL game and 1 cup game. All 4 games during the 10 day period when he was injured. The season before that, 1 lengthy lay off for 3 months. Didnt miss any game before or after that.

He's been injured both seasons. People are confusing that with being "injury prone". Both are different.

See Insanity's post above, more info there on his injuries.

He's missed 50 games whatever way you spin it and looking at the link I posted it looks like he's had 6 different injuries in two seasons.

 

[dasty]

Carrick = our best midfielder, irreplaceable, should not lose his spot because he is still important, his injuries are not recurring, he is only 34 and still has a few years left in the tank.

Schweinsteiger = declining, not that good since Bayern is looking to replace him, no longer motivated because he had won everything, very injury prone, 31 is too fecking old and is nearing the end of his career.

 

[Insanity]

So for you, signing young players one window and signing experienced and young players the next window is a similar approach to Milan?

I think you need to re-read my entire post, mate.

I'll quote the important part of it for you again.

Imagine a squad consisting of Valdes, Schweini, Ramos, Young, Rooney, Valencia, Nani - a year or two down the line, all of them past 30, sitting with 3 or 4 years left on their mega contracts...Yikes

In addition, we have VP, who we don't know we are going to let go or give an extension to. That's a lot of older players on big wages.

 

[Mali_Zeus]

Carrick = our best midfielder, irreplaceable, should not lose his spot because he is still important, his injuries are not recurring, he is only 34 and still has a few years left in the tank.

Schweinsteiger = declining, not that good since Bayern is looking to replace him, no longer motivated because he had won everything, very injury prone, 31 is too fecking old and is nearing the end of his career.

How is Schweinsteiger nearing the end of his Career and Carrick is only 34 and still has few years left in the tank?

 

[Scarecrow]

He's a rare breed

a top midfield player who looks obtainable without paying buckets on money

it all depends on the player himself and Pep

how important is Schweinsteiger to his plans next year?

does the player feel happy to uproot his family and leave a club he's become synonymous with the last 5/6 seasons for a new challenge with a big pay hike I'd imagine?

I think he's still very much in Pep's plans but he won't be a definite starter anymore. I think Alonso and Lahm are the preferred choice for the holding roles and Pep can't field all three of them. Then you've got Thiago who'll certainly be first choice in my opinion and also Martinez coming back. I think, if all healthy, Bastian will not be a starter. And the Euros are coming...
He doesn't have a family to uproot. Only a girlfriend who's not living in Munich and travels a lot (Ivanovic).

 

[LilRicky]

He's a rare breed

a top midfield player who looks obtainable without paying buckets on money

it all depends on the player himself and Pep

how important is Schweinsteiger to his plans next year?

does the player feel happy to uproot his family and leave a club he's become synonymous with the last 5/6 seasons for a new challenge with a big pay hike I'd imagine?

Any idea what his wages would be? Are we talking RVP / Falcao levels of wages?

 

[Varun]

See Insanity's post above, more info there on his injuries.

He's missed 50 games whatever way you spin it and looking at the link I posted it looks like he's had 6 different injuries in two seasons.

Don't you think there's a difference between being injury prone and having 1 injury that keeps you out for a month or so while being fit and playing the entire year other than that?

He played every league game bar 2 since his return from injury in Nov last season.

The season before, he missed 3 straight months due to 1 single injury. Played every game before and after that.

That's not an injury prone player. That's one who's just been injured.

He had broken his collar bone the year before. Its not "spinning things", its just delving deeper and finding out why he's missed games and whether these absences have been frequent making him an injury prone player or not.

The more pertinent question is how these layoffs have impacted his performances. That's something for the regular Bundesliga watchers though.

 

[Ananke]

Here's a good post on his availability.
He didn't just have injury trobles last season. Actually, he has only had one relatively injury free season in the last 4.

Post says 'Bundesliga seasons (started games)'

Post does not say 'Games missed due to injury'.

Bayern have a lot of midfield options.

Do the math.

 

[Varun]

How is Schweinsteiger nearing the end of his Career and Carrick is only 34 and still has few years left in the tank?

He's being sarcastic.

 

[Scarecrow]

Any idea what his wages would be? Are we talking RVP / Falcao levels of wages?

I doubt it. Bayern generally have a more modest wage structure than us (who doesn't these days?) and don't pay that kind of wages. I'd guess he's on about 130-150k a week.

 

[JPRouve]

I think you need to re-read my entire post, mate.

I'll quote the important part of it for you again.



In addition, we have VP, who we don't know we are going to let go or give an extension to. That's a lot of older players on big wages.

I saw this part and I'm not sure about what you were trying to do.
Valdes is paid by Monaco, Rooney Young and Valencia are good contributors, Van Persie and Nani are out this year or next, Ramos and Schweinsteiger would be among our best players.
And 1/3 of players being 30 years old is a pretty healthy proportion, remember we currently have the third youngest team in the league.

 

[Insanity]

Post says 'Bundesliga seasons (started games)'

Post does not say 'Games missed due to injury'.

Bayern have a lot of midfield options.

Do the math.

His midfield partner from the treble season has been constantly injured, same is true with Thiago. Bayern have been starting Lahm in the midfield, I don't need to do any math. I maintain a mild interest in all top teams and know that he has had injury troubles for a while now.

 

[LilRicky]

I doubt it. Bayern generally have a more modest wage structure than us (who doesn't these days?) and don't pay that kind of wages. I'd guess he's on about 130-150k a week.

That's not so bad, with the fee included of £7.5m.

Don't you think there's a difference between being injury prone and having 1 injury that keeps you out for a month or so while being fit and playing the entire year other than that?

He played every league game bar 2 since his return from injury in Nov last season.

The season before, he missed 3 straight months due to 1 single injury. Played every game before and after that.

That's not an injury prone player. That's one who's just been injured.

He had broken his collar bone the year before. Its not "spinning things", its just delving deeper and finding out why he's missed games and whether these absences have been frequent making him an injury prone player or not.

The more pertinent question is how these layoffs have impacted his performances. That's something for the regular Bundesliga watchers though.

He's had two lengthy lay off in the last two seasons, then had a couple of niggling injuries as well that have seen him miss a week or two here and there. That's enough for me to be cautious, considering his age also.

 

[Insanity]

I saw this part and I'm not sure about what you were trying to do.
Valdes is paid by Monaco, Rooney Young and Valencia are good contributors, Van Persie and Nani are out this year or next, Ramos and Schweinsteiger would be among our best players.
And 1/3 of players being 30 years old is a pretty healthy proportion, remember we currently have the third youngest team in the league.

I am not trying to do anything, I am just questioning adding another injury prone player to our midfield in a very important position. It's not that we are brimming with quality midfielders and gambling on him can turn out to be a bonus. We need a quality replacement for Carrick and I am not sure the German is the right answer.

In general, I am a bit skeptical about our transfer approach and the way we have been handing out contracts. Any player nearing 30 or 30+ leaving a top club due to contract issues will expect a lengthy contract on exhorbitant wages - I wonder if that is the right approach for us.

 

[JPRouve]

I am not trying to do anything, I am just questioning adding another injury prone player to our midfield in a very important position. It's not that we are brimming with quality midfielders and gambling on him can turn out to be a bonus. We need a quality replacement for Carrick and I am not sure the German is the right answer.

In general, I am a bit skeptical about our transfer approach and the way we have been handing out contracts. Any player nearing 30 or 30+ leaving a top club due to contract issues will expect for a lengthy contract on exhorbitant wages - I wondering if that is the right approach for us.

I can understand that, but that's not what you did and you painted a fallacious portrait of our roster.

 

[Balu]

(I don't know how true it is because I see him starting if fit @Balu could help)

our midfield options last season were a mess. Everyone who wasn't injured started and was shoehorned into the side in some way. It's difficult to say, what role Schweinsteiger would play in midfield if everyone was fit, but I'm 100% sure he'd be a regular starter.

 

[Insanity]

I can understand that, but that's not what you did and you painted a fallacious portrait of our roster.

I guess you are right, I did exxagerate it a tad. Though I don't consider anything beyond us at the moment based on how we have been going about since Fergie left. It has been a guide on 'how not to conduct transfer business'.

Rooney - a 5 years mega contract extension
Nani - the same
Herrera - the saga, the first time
Fellaini - paying 4m more than his release clause
Mata - way overpaid for a big club reject that no one else wanted
di Maria - see Mata. Was available for less earlier in the summer.
Rojo - 16m + Nani's full year wages
Shaw - overpaid for him too
Falcao - 20m fees + wages to see him fall.
Blackett - Giving contract extension and letting Keane and Thorpe leave.

It doesn't paint a very pretty picture. That's an amazing amount of incompetence.

 

[Mali_Zeus]

He's being sarcastic.

Ups, my bad.

 

[NJM78]

I know Bastian has a big decision but surely if our interest is firm as reported we should be giving him a time frame to make a decision...I believe Pep was quoted as saying he would have to ask to leave and yes I would love us to sign him but I would hate for this to drag out past the season kicking off.

I'm a self confessed impatient fecker but it's not like we are trying to prize Messi away from Barca and these Schweinsteiger rumours have gone on a fair few weeks now. I'm sure he is on holiday right now but hopefully it is just a matter of days not weeks before he either commits to Bayern or decides to leave.

 

[Jazz]

I know Bastian has a big decision but surely if our interest is firm as reported we should be giving him a time frame to make a decision...I believe Pep was quoted as saying he would have to ask to leave and yes I would love us to sign him but I would hate for this to drag out past the season kicking off.

I'm a self confessed impatient fecker but it's not like we are trying to prize Messi away from Barca and these Schweinsteiger rumours have gone on a fair few weeks now. I'm sure he is on holiday right now but hopefully it is just a matter of days not weeks before he either commits to Bayern or decides to leave.

Plus he's in England with Ana Ivanovic - Wimbledon starts next week. We really need to settle this one way or the other. Getting sick and tired of the rumours already.