Andreas Vindheim raised great expectations at FC Schalke 04 with his gala performance against Erzgebirge Aue at the start of the year.
“From now on I’ll throw everything I have into every training session to convince the coach of my abilities,” promised Andreas Vindheim at his official presentation in mid-January after FC Schalke 04 ripped him away from 16-time Czech champions Sparta Prague could.
Words that the 26-year-old followed directly with action. Vindheim was one of the most conspicuous players in the 5-0 thrashing of Erzgebirge Aue, which brought Schalke within three points of the direct promotion zone.
The player on loan had convinced the Royal Blue squad planners with his versatility and speed. From now on, Vindheim should offer himself on both flanks, at the S04 debut in Aue he initially played on the right wing.
Two direct goals in the debut for FC Schalke 04
The proof of work of the new number 16 of the Royal Blues on the debut: 11.3 kilometers run, many pace runs on the right flank and last but not least the offensive urge that Schalke so urgently needed, which culminated in a goal and an assist.
Vindheim managed perfectly to draw attention to himself in his first appearance in a foreign league, in a foreign country and for a new club and to recommend himself for further tasks. For the direct competition, led by Reinhold Ranftl, it will be difficult to displace Schalke’s new hope from the starting XI.
The left-footer, who was born in Bergen, was both relieved and self-confident after his brilliant debut for the Bundesliga relegated team. After the game, he spoke of great happiness “to have scored my first goal for this great club”.
FC Schalke 04: Andreas Vindheim should ensure more balance
At Schalke, the protagonists around head coach Dimitrios Grammozis hope to have found what might be the last and decisive piece of the puzzle for the big goal of the season in Vindheim – direct promotion.
Due to his enthusiasm for running and commitment, the one-time national player for Norway should act as a track player. In addition to the defensive tasks, Vindheim should continue to set accents in the opposing third of the game and finally boost the royal blue offensive game with more unpredictability and confidence.
While Thomas Ouwejan, a real whirlwind, is already rushing up and down the flank on the left and, as a seven-time assist provider, is one of the best preparers in the 2nd Bundesliga, the right attacking side has fallen sharply in the course of the season so far.
In the coming weeks and months, Andreas Vindheim should ensure significantly more balance in Schalke ball possession football in the decisive phases of the promotion race and make it difficult for the opponents to adapt to the sometimes too one-dimensional attacking game of Schalke.
Andreas Vindheim: Promotion is the clear goal at FC Schalke 04
After his top debut on Sunday, Vindheim made no secret of the fact that the newcomer, who has experience in the European Cup, is pursuing big goals with the Gelsenkircheners: “I want to play against Bayern and Dortmund,” he said on the “Sport1” microphone after the resounding victory Ouch clear. For him, FC Schalke bring everything “that it takes to get promoted”.
When asked about the starting XI debutants, S04 line manager Dimitrios Grammozis was delighted that his experiment to rely directly on Vindheim was a complete success, even though he had only completed a few training sessions with his new teammates.
“It’s nice that he was rewarded with a goal in his first game. You could see that his crosses were important,” said the 43-year-old about the new signing.
It is likely that the Revierklub will only be able and willing to afford a permanent transfer of Vindheim if they return to the Bundesliga. So far, Schalke and sports director Rouven Schröder have only secured the Norwegian’s services until the summer. According to the current status, he is contractually bound to Sparta Prague until 2024.
After all, the Knappen have a purchase option for Vindheim, which according to information from “Sport Bild” should be 1.3 million euros. If the loan player confirms his excellent first impression in the coming games, there is not much standing in the way of a longer future in Gelsenkirchen.
Vindheim and his FC Schalke have their next chance of probation in the 2nd Bundesliga on February 5 at home against Jahn Regensburg (from 1:30 p.m.) and on February 13 at Fortuna Düsseldorf (from 1:30 p.m.). Then more action will follow.
Mats Yannick Roth