“Sport Bild” report
After 24 matchdays, relegated Schalke 04 are in fifth place in the 2nd Bundesliga – three points behind a direct promotion place. As a result of a season marked by fluctuations in performance, there are some question marks in the squad alignment. As the “Sport Bild” reports, several professionals in the royal blues are at least in question, if not before leaving in the summer, regardless of whether the return to the upper house is successful.
Lode, Terodde & Co.: All Schalke additions for the 2021/22 season
There is a high probability that Schalke will make a change in the goalkeeper position and get a new number one. The Austrian Martin Fraisl, who was signed from The Hague in summer 2021, reveals too great weaknesses in positional play. The growing doubts about the 28-year-old have so far resulted in a lack of contract talks – Fraisl’s contract ends in June.
Winger Reinhold Ranftl is also said to have no future at Schalke. The 30-year-old legal footer, committed by LASK until 2024, has so far performed too poorly and is therefore on the cross-off list. Captain Danny Latza (32), who is said to have a strained relationship with coach Dimitrios Grammozis, is also viewed critically. In all likelihood, the coach himself would only get a new contract if he was promoted.
With Harit and Kabak?
The Schalke squad 2022/23As of now
The future of loan central defender Ko Itakura (25) and defensive colleague Malick Thiaw (20) is reportedly only secured if they go to the 1st division. The rumored 4 million purchase option at Manchester City’s Itakura only applies in the event of promotion, while homegrown Thiaw can already earn 1.3 million euros a year in the 2nd division with the help of a salary increase. That sum would be twice the “majority of his fellow players,” it says. In winter, Schalke had rejected a 6.5 million offer from AC Milan. According to the “Bild”, the “miners” did not want to jeopardize their success, but are willing to talk about a transfer package of around 10 million euros.
Schalke: Focus on Kaminski and Drexler – what happens to Kabak and Harit?
Due to lack of speed, Marcin Kaminski (30) is not guaranteed to stay, and midfielder Dominick Drexler (31) is not an undisputed regular. The report does not answer how the loaned Ozan Kabak (21, Norwich City) and Amine Harit (24, Marseille) could continue. Both professionals are said to earn around 8 million euros a year together, which means that they would no longer be affordable even in the Bundesliga.
Squad values since January 1, 2021: The biggest losers with FC Bayern & Schalke
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