FC Schalke 04 strengthened their defense shortly before the end of the substitution period. In the international phase, new signing Tomas Kalas wants to catch up as quickly as possible. It will probably be a while before he is a real option for head coach Thomas Reis.
Central defender Tomas Kalas does not provide any immediate help for FC Schalke 04, the “WAZ” reports. He is not yet a serious option for the matchday squad for the upcoming second division game against 1. FC Magdeburg on September 16th (8:30 p.m.).
The 31-time Czech international player will need “a few more weeks” until he has the necessary fitness.
Tomas Kalas moved to FC Schalke 04 on a free transfer at the end of August after his contract with English second division club Bristol City was not extended after five years together. The 30-year-old signed a two-year contract with the Royal Blues.
The newcomer made his first appearance in the Knappen jersey in the test match on Friday against SSV Ulm (4:2), when he was substituted on by coach Reis after 64 minutes. As the S04 coach revealed to “WAZ” afterwards, there was a big question mark behind the newcomer’s debut.
Reis on Schalke’s new signing Kalas: “It will look good on us”
“We were thinking about whether we could even bring him in,” said Reis, referring to the lack of rhythm at Kalas, who was without a club for almost two months. In addition, the defensive veteran was repeatedly sidelined with injuries last season.
Reis explained: “He’s making a good impression in training. We still didn’t want to take him longer than 20 or 30 minutes.” In the short game against Ulm, however, Kalas managed to convince his coach with his “good dynamism”: “He will look good to us.”
Relegated Schalke 04 have conceded nine goals in five second division games and have only managed one win. With four points, the Revierklub is in twelfth place.