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
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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
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Came from Real Madrid in 18/19 for €10m
20 Kevin Kuranyi | Market value at the time: €8 million
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Came from VfB Stuttgart in 05/06 for €6.9m
19 Franco Di Santo | Market value at the time: €8.5 million
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Came from Werder Bremen in 15/16 for €6m
17 Fabian Ernst | Market value at the time: €9 million
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Came from Werder Bremen on a free transfer in 05/06
17 Raúl | Market value at the time: €9 million
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Came from Real Madrid on a free transfer in 10/11
15 Sydney Sam | Market value at the time: €10 million
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Came 14/15 for €2.5m from Bay. Leverkusen
15 Yevgen Konoplyanka | Market value at the time: €10 million
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Came from Sevilla in 17/18 for €12.5m
14 Johannes Geis | Market value at the time: €11 million
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Came 15/16 for €10.5m from 1.FSV Mainz 05
12 Shkodran Mustafi | Market value at the time: €12 million
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Came from Arsenal on a free transfer in 20/21
12 Benito Raman | Market value at the time: €12 million
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Came 19/20 for €10m from Fort Dusseldorf
10 Jose Manuel Jurado | Market value at the time: €13 million
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Came from Atlético Madrid in 10/11 for €11m
10 Klaas Jan Huntelaar | Market value at the time: €13 million
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Came from AC Milan in 10/11 for €14m
9 Matija Nastasić | Market value at the time: €14 million
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Came from Manchester City in 15/16 for €9.5m
8 Jefferson Farfan | Market value at the time: €14.5 million
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Came from PSV Eindhoven in 08/09 for €10m
5 Kevin Prince Boateng | Market value at the time: €15 million
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Came from AC Milan in 13/14 for €10m
5 Ozan Kabak | Market value at the time: €15 million
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Came in 19/20 for €15m from VfB Stuttgart
5 Sebastian Rudy | Market value at the time: €15 million
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Came from Bayern Munich in 18/19 for €16m
2 Mark Uth | Market value at the time: €18 million
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Came 18/19 free transfer from TSG Hoffenheim
2 Salif Sané | Market value at the time: €18 million
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Came in 18/19 for €7m from Hannover 96
2 Nabil Bentaleb | Market value at the time: €18 million
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Came from Tottenham in 17/18 for €19m
1 Breel Embolo | Market value at the time: €20 million
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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
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Gallery status: After summer 2022 transfer window
Steven Bergwijn | 2019/20 from PSV Eindhoven -> Tottenham | Transfer fee: €30 million
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Robin van Persie | 2012/13 from Arsenal -> Man United | Transfer fee: €30.7 million
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Steven Bergwijn | 2022/23 from Tottenham -> Ajax | Transfer fee: €31.25 million
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Memphis Depay | 2015/16 from PSV Eindhoven -> Man United | Transfer fee: €34 million
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Arjen Robben | 2007/08 from Chelsea -> Real Madrid | Transfer fee: €35 million
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Jasper Cillessen | 2019/20 from FC Barcelona -> Valencia | Transfer fee: €35 million
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Sven Botman | 2022/23 from Lille -> Newcastle | Transfer fee: €37 million
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Donny van de Beek | 2020/21 from Ajax -> Man United | Transfer fee: €39 million
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Nathan Ake | 2020/21 from Bournemouth -> Man City | Transfer fee: €45.3 million
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Virgil van Dijk | 2017/18 from Southampton -> Liverpool | Transfer fee: €84.65 million
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Matthijs de Ligt | 2019/20 from Ajax -> Juventus | Transfer fee: €85.5 million
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Frenkie de Jong | 2019/20 from Ajax -> FC Barcelona | Transfer fee: €86 million
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