The goalkeeper question at FC Schalke 04 is still a rather piquant one. Ex-captain Ralf Fährmann is still only on the bench, but still has a long-term contract. The working papers of regular goalkeeper Martin Fraisl and veteran Michael Langer are now due to expire in the summer, so far no decision has been made for them. Schalke’s sporting director Rouven Schröder has now provided information on the current status of the goalkeeping issue.
The S04 manager, who had replaced almost the entire professional squad of Gelsenkirchen last year and made it suitable for the second division, explained to the “West German General Newspaper” meaningful: “We are exploring the market in all positions, including the goalkeeper position. It’s also about league membership and availability.”
The Austrian Fraisl is currently set as the regular keeper, but was unable to sustainably confirm his outstanding impressions from the first clean sheets in autumn 2021. In the event of a Bundesliga return, it cannot be ruled out that the contract with Fraisl will not be extended and that a new number one will be looked for.
Above all, his inexperience in a top European league speaks against the current top dog Fraisl in the event of promotion. At the age of 28, Fraisl has “only” played first-class in the Netherlands and Romania. In Austria at Floridsdorfer AC and in Germany at SV Sandhausen and FC Schalke it had only been enough for the second division.
Fährmann is under contract with FC Schalke until 2025
S04 veteran Ralf Fährmann only last year extended his working paper on adjusted salaries until 2025 and will probably stay with the miners, as will the third keeper Michael Langer, who is currently injured in the knee.
The 37-year-old continues to be valued by sports director Schröder, above all for his standing within the professional squad. When asked about the veteran, he said: “Langer will be back soon. He is a very important factor, especially verbally in the dressing room.”