The times when FC Schalke 04 spent money with plenty are finally over. But are those responsible now too stingy when it comes to staff? A relegation would also be financially devastating.
If Rouven Schröder had been on social media in the last few days, he probably would not have been happy. Because it rained on the part of the supporters of FC Schalke 04 lack of understanding and criticism. Since Kenan Karaman’s transfer was announced, an unprecedented dissatisfaction with the S04 sports manager has spread.
The Turkish national player would be the third center forward that Schalke would have in their squad alongside Sebastian Polter and Simon Terodde. And Karaman’s recent record at Besiktas Istanbul (35 games, 2 goals) doesn’t exactly promise a flood of goals at Berger Feld.
But this obligation is evidence of the financial hardship that is currently limiting Schalke so extremely. Apparently they can’t afford a fast winger, which they actually need. And in order to at least increase the competition on the offensive, Karaman should do his job. Hardly anyone outside the club currently believes that the 28-year-old would be a real reinforcement. Karaman’s market value is currently around one million euros.
Transfers also have to do with imagination
“Our club is not doing well,” Schröder said recently, clearly describing the club’s financial circumstances. “There are clear guidelines that we have implemented. There are currently no other options.” Those responsible have been swearing for months that there is no alternative to their actions. Even now, after the sale of defender Malik Thiaw, who was transferred to AC Milan for around ten million euros, debts should be settled rather than investing in the squad that is hardly suitable for the Bundesliga.
The big question will be whether this austerity, hitherto unknown in Gelsenkirchen in its rigor, is not heading in the wrong direction? Because a renewed relegation would be an even greater financial evil for the club (around 183.5 million euros in liabilities) than the crash was a year ago.
Football and its transfers always have something to do with imagination, development potential and expertise. However, with their extremely strict savings requirement, Schalke have largely deprived themselves of this approach, which is usual when considering transfers. This becomes quite clear in the case of Ko Itakura, who wore the royal blue jersey on loan last season and was one of the team’s key performers.
Itakura fell victim to austerity
Schalke could have signed the 25-year-old from Manchester City for a very manageable amount of just six million euros – but they rejected this for purely financial reasons. They didn’t want to make what was in this case a safe bet on the future (financed by a loan). As a result, the S04 lost a regular player who was still capable of development but was ready for the first division.
And the club lost the option to sell Itakura for a much higher sum at the same time. Borussia Mönchengladbach immediately seized the opportunity – and thus got a real bargain in terms of sport and certainly also financially. Itakura has already become a favorite in Gladbach, and its market value is likely to increase significantly.
The same applies to the former Schalke loan player and winger Darko Churlinov, who is actually so urgently needed, and whose purchase from VfB Stuttgart would have been possible for around three million euros. In this case, the English second division club FC Burnley took action. The (financial) constraints are great at the Ruhr area club. The way those responsible deal with this is as strict as it is uncompromising. The fantasy is currently being nipped in the bud at Schalke.
