After only two points from the first four games, the promotion euphoria at FC Schalke has evaporated early. The players are said to be wondering whether the current Knappen football is good enough to prevent direct relegation from the Bundesliga.
It was clear even before the first appearance in the top German division that the FC Schalke squad would not be able to keep up with many established Bundesliga teams. Nevertheless, some professionals in the Royal Blues had apparently hoped for a different start – not just in terms of results.
For this reason, according to “Sport Bild”, some players are already wondering whether the team will be able to stay up in the league. The Schalke stars seem to have doubts about the fact that the team mainly comes from fighting and using. In the dressing room, this fact “has long been a topic of conversation,” reports the newspaper.
In the past few weeks and months, those responsible have done a lot to reorganize the club and eliminate weak points that are not visible to the public.
According to “Sport Bild”, not only was the analysis team supplemented with a specialist who should put potential newcomers through their paces. The rehabilitation team has also been strengthened so that the cause of injuries can be investigated in detail in the future.
FC Schalke suffers from the financial bottleneck
In the end, however, the financial bottleneck still sets limits for those responsible that can hardly be overturned on the pitch. Malick Thiaw’s last-minute sale to AC Milan made that abundantly clear. The 21-year-old was an important piece of the puzzle at the club, but in the end there was no alternative to his transfer.
The miners’ hands are also still tied when it comes to drafting contracts for some newcomers. Sports director Rouven Schröder said that he was not a fan of arranging loan deals without a purchase option. In the current situation, however, he has to throw this plan overboard, because “otherwise we won’t get these players”.