Backheel Breakfast: Jurgen Klinsmann is just playing the recruiting game with Gedion Zelalem

Jurgen Kilinsmann took some time to feed into every negative stereotype about him on Thursday, saying that Gedion Zelalem will be thrown right into the United States senior team if he becomes eligible to play for them. Zelalem, who was born in Germany and plays for Arsenal in England, recently became a U.S. citizen. U.S. Soccer is in the process of getting him eligible to play for the USMNT.

Zelalem would instantly become the biggest prospect in the U.S. system if he became eligible, but much like Julian Green, he’s not an established pro yet. He’s impressed at U-21 level even though he’s just 18, but only has two senior appearances.

Klinsmann promising him a place is another piece of ammo for fans who criticize him for valuing dual-nationals who have not spent significant time in the U.S. over lifelong American citizens, even though Zelalem went to middle school in the United States. And there’s every chance Zelalem could see a career downturn comparable to that of Green, who’s having a disastrous loan spell at Hamburg.

But ultimately, what Klinsmann is doing is all part of recruiting. Does he actually think that Zelalem is better than Mix Diskerud or Luis Gil right now? Who cares. He wants to expand his player pool and get as many talented players to commit to the U.S. as possible. How does he do that? By promising Zelalem playing time when Germany won’t.

It’s just ‘crootin. All in the game.

Harry Kane has won the Premier League player of the month for the second month in a row. Here’s a complete list of the other players to accomplish that: Robbie Fowler, Dennis Bergkamp, Cristiano Ronaldo. (BBC)

There’s enough evidence against Barcelona in the Neymar transfer tax case to take it to trial. (AS)

More bad news for Barcelona: Sergio Busquets looks unlikely to play El Clasico. (AS)

Steve Bruce was close to getting fired earlier this year, but he’s just earned a new three-year contract. (Guardian)

In case you care about FIFA rankings (you should not), here are the new ones. (FIFA)

It looks like Schalke are getting Julian Draxler and Jefferson Farfan back soon. (Bundesliga.com)

Andrea Pirlo could return from injury to face Dortmund next week. (Football Italia translating La Stampa)

Not that it matters, but Parma have been deducted two points. (Football Italia)

Walking Injury Jack Wilshere is still out for Arsenal and won’t play in England’s next game. (Telegraph)

Noah Davis on the challenges facing American Outlaws. (Soccer Gods)

Miguel Delaney on Jose Mourinho managing scared. (ESPN FC)

Ian King on the last season of English football before the Premier League. (Two Hundred Percent)

The section in which nothing should be taken seriously.

Chelsea are gunning for Raphael Varane. (Telegraph)

Manchester United could add some quality to their midfield by snapping up Ilkay Gündogan. (Fichajes)

Southampton want to keep loanee Toby Alderweireld, but it looks like they’ve just handed him a job interview for bigger clubs. (Daily Mail)

There were eight Europa League games. Read about them here. (SB Nation)

Monaco vs. Bastia (3:30 p.m.) - Monaco are doing well in Europe, but they need to string some wins together if they want to get back.

Bayer Leverkusen vs. Stuttgart (3:30 p.m.) - Because all Bayer games have the possibility of ending 5-4.

Valencia vs. Deportivo La Coruña (3:45 p.m.) - Any Valencia game is totally watchable.

Dynamo vs. Orlando City (7 p.m.) - Houston looks like a good team under new boss Owen Coyle.

Monarcas Morelia vs. U. de Guadalajara (9:30 p.m.) - If you’re going to take a two-hour soccer watching break, do it here.

Tijuana vs. Veracruz (11:30 p.m.) - Xolos are the best team to watch in Liga MX this year.