Huub Stevens praises Schalke’s transfers and singles out Sepp van den Berg

Praise for transfer summer at S04

When Schalke 04 take on Borussia Dortmund in the Revierderby on Saturday afternoon, Sepp van den Berg faces his biggest challenge of the season. But apart from the game, former S04 head coach Huub Stevens believes van den Berg is one of the players who can make the difference in the derby but also throughout the season for the ‘Knappen’. The 20-year-old could even become a candidate for the national team of the Netherlands with the Royal Blues. Stevens is also impressed by the transfer activities of his heart club.

“I think sporting director Rouven Schröder has done a fantastic job this summer,” Stevens said at a media roundtable attended by Transfermarkt. “Of course you always want to sign the best players in the world, but the financial situation made that impossible.”

Mustafi, Kabak & Co.: Schalke’s most valuable newcomers

20 Jordan Larson | Market value: €8 million

&copy imago images

Came on a free transfer in 2022/23
Gallery status: After summer 2022 transfer window

20 Omar Mascarell | Market value at the time: €8 million

&copy imago images

Came from Real Madrid in 18/19 for €10m

20 Kevin Kuranyi | Market value at the time: €8 million

&copy Getty Images

Came from VfB Stuttgart in 05/06 for €6.9m

19 Franco Di Santo | Market value at the time: €8.5 million

&copy imago images

Came from Werder Bremen in 15/16 for €6m

17 Fabian Ernst | Market value at the time: €9 million

&copy imago images

Came from Werder Bremen on a free transfer in 05/06

17 Raúl | Market value at the time: €9 million

&copy imago images

Came from Real Madrid on a free transfer in 10/11

15 Sydney Sam | Market value at the time: €10 million

&copy imago images

Came 14/15 for €2.5m from Bay. Leverkusen

15 Yevgen Konoplyanka | Market value at the time: €10 million

&copy imago images

Came from Sevilla in 17/18 for €12.5m

14 Johannes Geis | Market value at the time: €11 million

&copy imago images

Came 15/16 for €10.5m from 1.FSV Mainz 05

12 Shkodran Mustafi | Market value at the time: €12 million

&copy imago images

Came from Arsenal on a free transfer in 20/21

12 Benito Raman | Market value at the time: €12 million

&copy imago images

Came 19/20 for €10m from Fort Dusseldorf

10 Jose Manuel Jurado | Market value at the time: €13 million

&copy imago images

Came from Atlético Madrid in 10/11 for €11m

10 Klaas Jan Huntelaar | Market value at the time: €13 million

&copy imago images

Came from AC Milan in 10/11 for €14m

9 Matija Nastasić | Market value at the time: €14 million

&copy imago images

Came from Manchester City in 15/16 for €9.5m

8 Jefferson Farfan | Market value at the time: €14.5 million

&copy imago images

Came from PSV Eindhoven in 08/09 for €10m

5 Kevin Prince Boateng | Market value at the time: €15 million

&copy Getty Images

Came from AC Milan in 13/14 for €10m

5 Ozan Kabak | Market value at the time: €15 million

&copy imago images

Came in 19/20 for €15m from VfB Stuttgart

5 Sebastian Rudy | Market value at the time: €15 million

&copy imago images

Came from Bayern Munich in 18/19 for €16m

2 Mark Uth | Market value at the time: €18 million

&copy imago images

Came 18/19 free transfer from TSG Hoffenheim

2 Salif Sané | Market value at the time: €18 million

&copy imago images

Came in 18/19 for €7m from Hannover 96

2 Nabil Bentaleb | Market value at the time: €18 million

&copy imago images

Came from Tottenham in 17/18 for €19m

1 Breel Embolo | Market value at the time: €20 million

&copy imago images

Came from FC Basel in 16/17 for €26m

Still, Stevens believes Schroeder has assembled a strong squad. “A team that can be competitive and fight relegation,” said Stevens. Asked which players he should keep an eye on both in the derby and throughout the season, Stevens named his two Dutch compatriots Thomas Ouwejan (25, signed from AZ Alkmaar) and centre-back van den Berg.

Stevens on van den Berg: Thanks to Schalke in the national team?

“I’m very excited to see how our new signing van den Berg will do in the derby,” said Stevens. “Van den Berg is certainly a player who could also be interesting for the Dutch national team. But first he has to develop at Schalke. He’s a player I’ve been following for a while and I told Schalke two years ago to keep an eye on him; he is an interesting player.”

Schalke wanted to sign the PEC Zwolle centre-back but instead van den Berg was sold to Liverpool for €1.9million ahead of the 2019/20 season. There, the most valuable Dutch central defender up to the age of 20 has only played four games in all competitions.

Liverpool then loaned van den Berg to Championship club Preston North End in February 2021. In two and a half seasons, he made 66 appearances there (two goals/one assist). Ahead of this season, Liverpool felt the young centre-back was ready for the next step and with Schalke looking to strengthen their defence, the club decided to loan the Dutchman out for a season. Stevens is certain: “This is a good thing for everyone involved.”

With Robben & de Ligt: The most expensive Dutch in football history

Donyell Paint | 2021/22 from PSV Eindhoven -> BVB | Transfer fee: €30 million

&copy imago images

Gallery status: After summer 2022 transfer window

Steven Bergwijn | 2019/20 from PSV Eindhoven -> Tottenham | Transfer fee: €30 million

&copy imago images

Robin van Persie | 2012/13 from Arsenal -> Man United | Transfer fee: €30.7 million

&copy imago images

Steven Bergwijn | 2022/23 from Tottenham -> Ajax | Transfer fee: €31.25 million

&copy imago images

Memphis Depay | 2015/16 from PSV Eindhoven -> Man United | Transfer fee: €34 million

&copy imago images

Arjen Robben | 2007/08 from Chelsea -> Real Madrid | Transfer fee: €35 million

&copy imago images

Jasper Cillessen | 2019/20 from FC Barcelona -> Valencia | Transfer fee: €35 million

&copy TM/imago images

Sven Botman | 2022/23 from Lille -> Newcastle | Transfer fee: €37 million

&copy imago images

Donny van de Beek | 2020/21 from Ajax -> Man United | Transfer fee: €39 million

&copy imago images

Nathan Ake | 2020/21 from Bournemouth -> Man City | Transfer fee: €45.3 million

&copy imago images

Virgil van Dijk | 2017/18 from Southampton -> Liverpool | Transfer fee: €84.65 million

&copy TM/imago images

Matthijs de Ligt | 2019/20 from Ajax -> Juventus | Transfer fee: €85.5 million

&copy imago images

Frenkie de Jong | 2019/20 from Ajax -> FC Barcelona | Transfer fee: €86 million

&copy imago images

To home page

ttn-38