Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer has
criticised Lukas Podolski for failing to play as well for his club
as he does for Germany. The forward has been persistently linked
with a move away from the German champions after becoming unhappy
with his lack of first-team opportunities at the Allianz Arena. And
the 23-year-old has also claimed he does not believe he has the
support of club chiefs.
But Beckenbauer feels Podolski - who has been one of Germany's
most impressive performers at Euro 2008 - would have no problem
winning a starting place if he could replicate his international
form at club level.
Writing in the Bild newspaper, Beckenbauer said: "When he
complains about a lack of faith from the club leadership, I have to
say: 'No one at Bayern has banned him from playing as strongly as
he has at the Euros.' "With such a performance he would also be in
the starting XI at his club.
"With Poldi I have the feeling that he has grown into two people
during the Euros. At Bayern he often ran slightly bent over; at the
Euros on the other hand his body language says: Here I am.
"Lukas Podolski and (Bayern team-mate) Bastian Schweinsteiger
have played in this tournament like we have unfortunately seldom
seen for their club since 2006."
Podolski has struggled to settle at Bayern since joining from
Cologne and had to make do with a place on the bench for much of
last season after falling behind Miroslav Klose and Luca Toni in
the pecking order.
Clubs from England, Italy and Germany are reported to be
interested in the striker, including Bayern's Bundesliga rivals
Werder Bremen.
Germany defender Per Mertesacker earlier this week encouraged
Podolski to join him at the Weserstadion. Bremen sporting director
Klaus Allofs added: "It seems to be that Poldi wants out of Munich.
"I am continuing to keep in contact with his agent. He knows what
our attitude is. I don't have to now show new interest."