Hi, everyone! And, welcome back!

I’ve waited a little longer to start writing about Bayern than most of my colleagues for a couple of reasons:

1) The majority of the transfer rumors regarding FC Bayern Muenchen are complete and utter nonsense. And, I regard most of them as “slow news days” for various media. There are some exceptions to my rule, however.

2) With 9 first team members participating in the semi-finals / final of that little tournament this summer, I knew we’d only be getting to the big issues when they got back to training--- this Monday.

And, of course, we start off with a bang…

Robben out for two months.

Sigh. The man that many call “made of glass” (and we call “Bundesliga Player of the Year”) is still living up to his reputation. Here, we have a battle of the team physios.

Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt, long-of-name, and Bayern / DFB doctor, discovered a 5 cm. hole in Arjen’s hammy on his return, Monday, to die Roten. Mr. Robben suffered a hamstring injury during the last international friendly match leading up to the World Cup, and was supposed to be out for two months, effectively missing the tournament. He was treated by KNVB doctor, considerably shorter-of-name, Dick van Toorn, who had Arjen up-and-running (ha.) in 20 days.

I’m gonna venture a guess here, and say that van Toorn probably refused help by Mueller-Wohlfahrt because the KNVB really needed Robben to play, and the doctor was the enemy. Those Dutch / German relations are not so good, ja?

Now everyone is up in arms and throwing the blame around, willy-nilly. I, for one, am a fan of trash-talking--- at least it’s entertaining. And Bayern Munich is going after the KNVB for compensation, asking FIFA to mediate, if necessary. FIFA to mediate? Ha. That’s good for a chuckle as well…

In the end, it’s not the end of the world. Because, really, you expected Arjen Robben to get through a season uninjured?! I highly doubt that will ever happen. And besides, we’ve got the very, very excellent Toni Kroos back. I’m sure he’ll fill the gap quite nicely. In fact, I’m looking forward to it!

The week of Gregory van der Wiel.

Speaking of the Dutch…

Directly after the World Cup, Bayern began sniffing around Ajax Amsterdam for their 22 year-old wingback, and Dutch international, Gregory van der Wiel. This news had me thinking, “Huh?!” and “We. Need. A. Center. Back.” Not that van der Wiel isn’t impressive--- He is. But, he’s also superfluous to the needs of FC Hollywood. We’ve got a perfectly good back, opposite the best one, in Diego Armando Contento. I say, and van Gaal seems to concur, “Let the boy play!”.

A week later, this ill-advised transfer move was quashed. Whew.

The center back situation.

Louis van Gaal has stated that Holger Badstuber will start (finally!) in his natural position. I’m happy that he’ll no longer get beat up on the wing in European competition. So, this leaves us with Breno, back from a loan spell; Martin Demichelis, sullen and wanting to go back to Argentina; and Daniel van Buyten, injured and a new “baby daddy”. I think we’ll see Holger and Martin starting, for now, until van Buyten is fit. I’d be surprised if Demichelis didn’t leave at the winter transfer. And I only pick the Belgian over the Argentine because he can be used as a striker.

This is where I was hoping the rumors about Nemanja Vidic were true. Alas! the Serb has signed a hefty contract to remain with Manchester United.

The other rumor that piqued my interest.

Mario Gomez to Schalke 04? Part of that “deal” would have been to bring goalkeeper Manuel Neuer over to Bayern next season. I have to admit, I got a little happy thinking about that. Neuer proved he can play ginormous matches this summer (plus, he’s a cutie!), while, so far, “Super Mario” has failed to impress with the DFB or Bayern Munich.

He’s recently said he hasn’t talked to any other clubs and wants to fight for a starting spot in Munich. In the same interview, according to PeaceFM Online, he stated that he’s in good shape after the summer break because “my girlfriend is my trainer”. Winkwinknudgenudge.

And it wouldn’t be a Bayern blog without…

Franck Ribery! After a disappointing (for him, gleeful for the Irish), ahem… performance at the World Cup, and subsequent painful-sounding groin surgery, the midfielder is back training on the ball. That is, when he’s not thinking about a possible jail term and a 45,000 Euro fine levied against him for consorting with, then-under-age, French prostitute, Zahia Dehar.

I can’t really see him serving any jail time, can you? And his defense looks like it rests on the premise, (insert Gallic shrug here) “She looked 18 to me…”, of which, if you’ve seen any pictures, I’m inclined to agree with.

He still, despite this being “a low point in my life”, finds time to be the jokester--- which I find to be refreshing. Here’s to hoping that the David Alaba “bunny ears” team photo stands…

Finally, a lesson for West Ham United.

Finalize your contracts before heading in to a big tournament! The London-based Premiership club, West Ham United, had a preliminary deal going with Bayern Munich for striker and German international, Miroslav Klose worth about 4 million. That was until Miro had the tournament of his career this summer--- now sitting atop the World Cup goals scored record with Ronaldo. The bosses at Bayern promptly yanked that offer off the table. I’m sure they’re hoping to squeak out a few million more for his services now.

On that note, I’d love to see him start… somewhere. But realistically, I don’t think it will be at Bayern. He’s probably over-priced, according to many, due to his age, but he looked pretty sprightly bringin’ back the front flip celebration this summer!

Looking forward to the Schalke match Saturday… How about you?