Daily Schmankerl: Manuel Neuer not fretting contract extension status with Bayern Munich; Niclas Füllkrug to VfB Stuttgart?; Bayern, Liverpool lead Real Madrid on Marc Guéhi; Erling Haaland won’t get caught in Messi vs. Ronaldo debate; and MORE!

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer had a world class performance against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League earlier this week and has been awesome all season for the Bavarians.

With the speculation about him getting a new deal, Neuer is not letting the talk get to his head.

“I’m totally relaxed about it. What’s important is what we do with the team. How I feel will also be important. I’m going to take my time over the winter, make sure I stay healthy and perform well. Then, of course, we can always talk. There are many factors involved. It’s certainly a question of fitness, health, motivation – and also what happens with the club next season,” said Neuer.

If Neuer wants to be back, it seems like Bayern Munich is more than happy to have him for at least another season.

Niclas Füllkrug wants out of West Ham United and VfB Stuttgart would like to give him a new home — if it can be done via loan:

VfB Stuttgart are interested in West Ham United striker Niclas Füllkrug if loan terms can be agreed.

Füllkrug wants a return to his home country to better position himself for the 2026 World Cup team with Germany. More than anything, the striker needs to stay healthy, no matter where he goes.

Bayern Munich is en fuego, but watching Paris Saint-Germain deal with the pains of trying to repeat in the Champions League can show everyone how difficult it is to stay healthy, be consistent, and catch all of the same breaks.

All of that is a big theme for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show! We’ve got a strong lineup of segments and some awesome questions from some dedicated listeners. Catch up on it all right here! This is what we have on tap:

Recently, Matthias Sammer levied some criticism on the Germany national team — one of many pundits to do so. Specifically, Sammer criticized Germany for “a lack of continuity, a lack of a system, a lack of a common thread.”

Germany captain and Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich admitted that he had some similar takeaways at times in recent years.

“I did think that immediately before and after the EUROs, what made us strong is that we functioned very well as a team. We didn’t always play consistently well, but we were very stable. Not in terms of a solid foundation, but in terms of the way we performed together on the pitch. We haven’t reached that level recently. But to be honest, we had teams before and after the EUROs with Leverkusen, Frankfurt, and also Bayern, where many players were in form and recommended themselves for the national team,” Kimmich stated. “We need teams like that. That might sound a bit strange as an FC Bayern player. For example, I often cross my fingers for Frankfurt or Dortmund when they play. It’s important for us as a national team that they perform, as they have some players who are potential candidates for us [national team]. We Bayern players are in very good form right now, and Dortmund also seem very stable at the moment. Well-performing clubs serve as the foundation for a strong national team.”
“Believe me, we players are very self-critical. We know when we’re playing well or badly. As a team, you can’t always influence the result, but you can influence the way you achieve success. We have to work on that. And as for the criticism, we have to deal with it.”

Real Madrid wants Crystal Palace center-back Marc Guéhi, but Los Blancos are reportedly trailing both Bayern Munich and Liverpool in the race:

Liverpool and Bayern Munich are the frontrunners to sign Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi as a free agent next summer, according to Diario AS. England international Guéhi wants to move to Anfield after his £35 million summer transfer fell through, but Bayern are determined to at least try to sign him. Real Madrid have also been linked with the England international, but AS reports that the 25-year-old’s wage and signing bonus demands are too high.

Bayern Munich will be traveling to Berlin to square off with The Iron Ones in a match that — on paper — seems like just another team that the Bavarians should dominate.

However, there is at least some risk. Going on the road, just before an international break, and being weary from a super intense match against Paris Saint-Germain could be dangerous. Some would even say this could be a “trap game,”

Bayern Munich, though, could be out to prove it is “trap proof.” So, let’s discuss it all right here — this is what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Preview Show:

Chelsea FC likes what it sees from Moises Caicedo and wants to take steps to ensure it can keep him:

Chelsea want to extend Moisés Caicedo’s contract, having tentatively opened negotiations with the midfielder back in August.

Erling Haaland might be the best striker in the world (it’s a race between the Norwegian and Harry Kane if you ask this guy…and Kane has been better this season).

To be that great, you have to take some risks — but one gambit Haaland will not take is putting his name in the same class as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo:

🚨 Erling Haaland on Ronaldo-Messi comparisons: “No, not at all! No one can get close to them two, so no…”.

“I am just Erling, a Norwegian guy scoring goals. That won’t change.”

Haaland can be a somewhat divisive figure to some people (this author does not get that at all), but at the end of the day, he just always seems to come across as a normal guy who happens to be exceptionally good at putting the ball into the net.

Welcome to Bavarian Podcast Works — Edges and Underdogs, a BuLi Action Show!

This is not your run-of-the-mill gambling show as we are putting more focus on the ins-and-outs of the actual match day’s showdowns, rather than an odds-driven format (but yes, you will get the odds as well). This podcast is for people who watch the Bundesliga intently and who want to dive into some of the big games for each match day. Through that, we will also provide some information that could help those seeking to make a wager or two.

Each week, we will talk through and break down who has the edge, who might be hurting, who is susceptible to being upset, who’s getting hot, and more! This is what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Edges and Underdogs, a BuLi Action Show:

The bottom line…it’s time for some action.