German international Max Kruse made headlines this week after it had publicly emerged that he’d left over $85,600 in poker winnings in the backseat of a taxicab. Not only has that money not been returned to Kruse, but he was subsequently fined a further $28,500 by Wolfsburg for his conduct.
The club released a spectacular statement reprimanding the striker they signed from Borussia Monchengladbach over the summer: “You might be a private person as a footballer when you are in your bed,” nudge, nudge, wink, winked the German club. “At any other point, you are also an employee of the club. We have explained to him what sort of behaviour we expect from our players. We can only hope that he has been taught a lesson and will change his behaviour.”
It's been a bad week for Max Kruse. Photo: @MarcusAHiggins | Twitter
Wolfsburg were keen to change the conduct of a player whose 9 goals in all competitions represent a meager return on their $13.5 million investment in him. Beyond Kruse’s high stakes gambling, the club have now pinpointed another vice that they’d like to see crushed.
Adding insult to Kruse’s mounting sufferings, he’s been told by his manager, Dieter Hecker, to stop his unhealthy addiction for Nutella, the hazelnut chocolate spread that can turn your breakfast toast into a voyage up Willy Wonka’s chocolate river.
Like his German compatriot Augustus Gloop, Kruse has been overdoing it with the fatty chocolate, undoubtedly as a result of stress-induced eating triggered by brain farting away over $100,000.
With Wolfsburg attempting to optimize Kruse’s performance by fine-tuning all facets of his life, it’ll be interesting to see what a poker-free and Nutella-free version of the striker will be able to accomplish in the Champions League quarterfinals.
Don't bet against the striker going nuts against the opposition.
(The18's editorial staff would like to apologize for that pun)
