#11 Lukas Podolski

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Podolski is not for sale!

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge vowed once again that forward Lukas Podolski is non-transferable, denying some information released by the German press.

Bayern Munich repeated Lukas Podolski is not for sale, denying some information released by magazine Sport Bild claiming the player could be leave the club for €15 million.

“Just rumors. The player is not for sale and for us this issue is closed,” Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said.

Podolski has many times showed his unhappiness at Bayern, where he is usually benched, and existed the chance of returning to FC Köln, where the forward's talents were first noticed. In fact, this club’s coach, Christoph Daum, had said they would welcome him with open arms.

Rummenigge made reference to Daum’s statements without saying his name: “I spoke to FC Köln chairman, Michael Meier, to explain him that Podolski would remain at Bayern.”

“I also asked him to tell the coach to be more careful with this kind of issues,” Rummenigge added.

SportsYA

[RunX]

MmMMmMm Podolski Makes Me Angry Some Times .......

If That Serious ThAT Bayern Want to keep him ...
first he must play ........... if he will not play we dont want him in bayern .....
he is talented .. and he needs to improve ..... he must play !! .....

[vampyrian]

Some people just keep saying the most obvious things over and over and over...

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Klinsmann determined to keep Podolski

New Bayern Munich boss Jurgen Klinsmann insists he will not rest until Lukas Podolski feels at home at the Allianz Arena.

The Germany striker has been strongly linked with a move away from the Bundesliga champions after becoming unhappy at his lack of first-team football.

Former club Cologne were reported to be the 23-year-old's preferred destination, but Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge earlier this week stressed he would not be sold.

And Klinsmann, under whom Podolski flourished in the national team, claims there is no way he would let such a talented player leave the club.

The coach told Munich-based newspaper tz: 'I already said before the European Championship that I am absolutely building on Lukas.

'Lukas has so much potential, so much in him, that it has to still be further developed.

'That he suffers under the situation is absolutely understandable. It is up to me to give him a prospect of getting his games.

'I have told him: you are not allowed to run away from the situation now. The quality is so high - we are not going to let that get away.'

Klinsmann has already revealed, though, he can not guarantee Podolski a starting place.

Podolski impressed in an unfamiliar left-sided role as Germany reached the final of Euro 2008, scoring three times to finish as his team's leading scorer in the tournament.

But at Bayern last season he was restricted largely to substitute appearances, with then-coach Ottmar Hitzfeld favouring the pairing of Miroslav Klose and Luca Toni up front, with Frenchman Franck Ribery having sewn up the left midfield berth.

Juventus, Tottenham and Manchester City, as well as Cologne, are reported to be interested in the Polish-born forward, but Klinsmann is determined to make him feel wanted at Bayern.

He added: 'I will give all my effort to making him feel happy. That he has a bit of home sickness (for Cologne) is surely only human.

'For all of us is it important to help these players. If Podolski at some time can not reach his potential for emotional reasons, one has to make provisions for that.

'That is our responsibility.'

Cologne boss Christoph Daum has made no secret of his desire to bring Podolski back to the club where he made his name.

But the coach of the Bundesliga newcomers admits their pursuit of the forward now looks to be over.

Daum told the Bild newspaper: 'We always wanted a clear statement (from Bayern), and now we have got one.

'(Cologne) manager Michael Meier also advised me so after his telephone conversation with Rummenigge. We respect contracts.'

ESPNsoccernet - Europe - Bayern's Klinsmann determined to keep Podolski

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LELL FEARS PODOLSKI WILL LEAVE

Bayern Munich defender Christian Lell feels the German champions will be unable to hold on to Lukas Podolski if the forward has made up his mind to leave the club.

The Germany striker is unhappy with his lack of first-team action at the Allianz Arena and has been strongly linked with a return to former club Cologne.

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and coach Jurgen Klinsmann have stressed though the 23-year-old will not be sold.

But Lell told Munich-based newspaper tz: "I would find it a shame if he (Podolski) goes. He is a lively character on the pitch and in the changing room.

"But if he has the feeling that he has to move, he has to do so. You cannot force anyone."

SportingLife.com

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Klinsmann gives full backing to Podolski

Klinsmann sees Poldi as central striker

Klinsmann emphasised his intention not simply to rely on last term’s leading scorer Luca Toni and seasoned Germany international Miroslav Klose, but to give a far greater role to Lukas Podolski as well. “I helped him a lot when I was in charge of the national team, and I know him well as a character and a sportsman. I know how to deal with him, and I think we’ll get a great deal out of him in the future,” the 43-year-old remarked.

In contrast to current Germany boss Joachim Löw, Klinsmann is unlikely to deploy Poldi on the left of midfield. “I don’t regard Lukas as a wide player, but as a central striker, probably playing off a target man, but definitely in the centre. He scores his goals in and around the box, not from the left wing.”

Podolski was still developing as a player, Klinsmann argued, “and I’m determined to bring him up to the next level.” The former world-class striker thus put an end to speculation regarding the 23-year-old’s future. “Lukas has two years to go on his contract with us, so there are no questions to be answered. I’ll go to great lengths to make sure Lukas feels happy at Bayern,” Klinsmann declared.

Klinsmann gives full backing to Podolski

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COLOGNE AWAIT PODOLSKI SIGNAL

Cologne coach Christoph Daum will not make a move for striker Lukas Podolski until Bayern Munich give the go-ahead.

Podolski started his career with Cologne before moving to the Munich giants for 10million euros in 2006, but he has struggled to establish himself as a first-team regular and has admitted his future may lie elsewhere.

Cologne are poised to snap up the 23-year-old, who enjoyed an excellent Euro 2008 campaign with Germany, should Bayern wish to sell him, but they are determined to play by the rules.

"As long as there is no clear signal coming from Munich, we will respect the currently valid contracts," said Daum.

"Munich wanted to sell Podolski to Stuttgart, but he did not want that and said instead 'If I am not required here anymore and they want to sell me, then only to Cologne', and we reacted to that.

"We spoke about it and said we would be ready for that to happen, but then the signal came from (Bayern chairman) Karl-Heinz Rummenigge that they did not want to sell him, and we respect that now.

"Since such a clear stance has been taken by Munich, then we have to abide by the rules."

Daum also admitted Podolski's price tag could prove a stumbling block in a deal.

"I was extremely surprised (Bayern offered Podolski to Stuttgart) because I rate the player very highly," he added.

"We are not able to spend 30million euros yet. But reality begins with a dream."

SportingLife.com

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Just read something, and I'm definately not happy about it:

Kicker's reporting there are two clauses in Podolski's contract

- Cologne gets 30% of the transfer fee above 10 million (if we sell him for 20 million they receive three million for example)
- if Bayern decides to sell, Cologne needs to be informed and if they can match the offer of other clubs he's theirs

Horrible piece of business if true.

[Vargas_4]

Klinsmann has clearly said that Podolski is in his plans.

So that doesn't interest me, really.

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COLOGNE STILL CHASING PODOLSKI

Cologne general manager Michael Meier insists the club's dream of bringing in Lukas Podolski "lives on".

The Bayern Munich striker has been strongly linked with a return to his former club this summer after becoming unhappy at his lack of first-team opportunities with the German champions.

But Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, general manager Uli Hoeness and coach Jurgen Klinsmann have repeatedly stressed he will not be sold.

Meier admitted a move for Podolski was not imminent, but claimed the Bundesliga new boys still harbour hopes of bringing him back to the club where he made his name.

"As it stands at the moment Podolski is not coming," he told the Bild newspaper. "The statements from Rummenigge and Hoeness are clear and we respect them.

"Klinsmann also wants to keep hold of him. I can understand Bayern. They have (Luca) Toni and (Miroslav) Klose, whose places are assured. Add to that Podolski, but no more alternatives in attack.

"Yet our dream of Poldi lives on.

"When a player like Podolski is unhappy, that has an impact on his performances. The fact is: Lukas and his family do not feel at home in Munich. I am talking about the town, not the club.

"If he also still plays only rarely, there is a high potential for frustration."

Hoeness also confirmed there is a clause in Podolski's contract, which runs to 2010, which gives Cologne first refusal on the player.

He told Munich-based newspaper tz: "Let's say Manchester United offer 20 million for Lukas and we want to let him go.

"Then we also have to offer him to Cologne for 20 million. And they can then say: 'Good, we'll take him for 20 million'."

Hoeness insisted though the clause could in no way force Bayern into a sale they did not want.

"Cologne have to offer the same price, which we will get from somewhere else," he added.

"If the player then says that he prefers to go to Cologne, then the clause takes effect.

"But it is not a disadvantage for us. The clause is worth nothing at all. If Cologne could fall back on the player any time, it would be dangerous. But here it is only the case if we let the player go."

SportingLife.com

Hoeness has confirmed that clause on Podolski's contract. However, he does stress out that he is not bothered about it.

For real, if Man Utd (example) offer 20 million for him, do you think Koln can match that? I doubt it, so..

Plus, that doesn't come to discussion, unless Bayern decides to sell him, and that is clearly not happening.

[__-SNAKE-__]

Why would we sell Poldi anyway?

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Klinsmann Confirms Podolski Stance

Bayern Munich trainer Jürgen Klinsmann has once again moved to repeat his stance that striker Lukas Podolski is not for sale and is very much part of his plans for the coming season.

The 23 year old German international has been continuously linked with a move away from the Bavarian club with his former club Cologne reportedly ready to pounce should Bayern be ready to sell.

However, new Bayern trainer Klinsmann has reiterated his stance that Podolski isn’t for sale and that he is very much in the running for the forthcoming Bundesliga season.

“The sale of Podolski does not come in any way into the question. We need at least three top strikers - and Lukas is one of the three” Klinsmann said Klinsmann.

“He has a duty to challenge the other two (Miroslav Klose and Luca Toni), to provide them with competition. Lukas will get his games” he added.

Klinsmann had earlier vowed to help Podolski make the step up to the next level in career and become the world-class striker he has so often threatened to become.

“I told him what I told him before the European Championships: that he has a lot of talent, that he has already shown a lot in his young years, but also that he still has some more steps to take in order to become better.

“I would like to and will help him with that.”

Goal.com - Bayern Munich - Klinsmann Confirms Podolski Stance

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Lukas Podolski has ended transfer thoughts and is looking forward to a successful season at FC Bayern.

"I had a very positive conversation with coach Jürgen Klinsmann. Now I will concentrate on the new season", Podolski commented today (Monday) in Munich.

After the first few training sessions under the new coach, his is optimistic about the new season.

"I want to win titles and play games", Poldi added.

(translated by me)
Bayern-Stürmer Lukas Podolski denkt nicht mehr an Wechsel - transfermarkt.de

[Tomori]

If Podolski left we would be in deep trouble. It's not only the possibility that Klose or Toni might get injured, but also if they play shitty or get tired of playing two games a week. I'm sure Podolski will start many games this year.

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Question: Lukas Podolski returns home to Cologne with Bayern on Saturday. Is he yet to become 100 percent a Bayern player?
Hoeneß: "I've never sensed anything else, he's always been 100 percent a Bayern player. He's obviously been unhappy at times when he's not played regularly, that's only normal. Cologne asked after him and that unsettled him a little, but I don't believe he made a mistake in choosing to come to Bayern. Whenever I see him, I see a bubbly and bouncy Lukas Podolski, who's now working hard towards the new season.“

Hoeneß: 'Podolski is 100 percent a Bayern player'

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Podolski - I'm as good as anyone

German star believes he ranks alongside United duo

Bayern Munich striker Lukas Podolski feels he is every bit as good as Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.

Responding to praise from national coach Joachim Low in which he said that Podolski has shown better form at major tournaments than the Manchester United duo, the former Cologne man underlined his self-belief.

"The English