FC Schalke: 10 best players in post-war club history
By Josh Sippie
![(GERMANY OUT) football, DFB Cup, 1978/1979, Second Round, Parkstadion, FC Schalke 04 versus VfB Stuttgart 3:2, running-in to the second half, Ruediger Abramczik (S04) left and Klaus Fischer (S04) (Photo by Werner OTTO/ullstein bild via Getty Images) (GERMANY OUT) football, DFB Cup, 1978/1979, Second Round, Parkstadion, FC Schalke 04 versus VfB Stuttgart 3:2, running-in to the second half, Ruediger Abramczik (S04) left and Klaus Fischer (S04) (Photo by Werner OTTO/ullstein bild via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/1593d55162735361c6bf5ffe0da38e73cd6d29d63523f5d018c57cc3b6ecdd73.jpg)
9. Jens Lehmann
It would be a base atrocity if in the span of this list, no goal keepers made an appearance. FC Schalke boast such a strong pedigree of keepers over the years, but their biggest problem has been retaining those keepers, a problem they continue to struggle with. It wasn’t just Manuel Neuer that got away.
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Still, in terms of overall legacy, Jens Lehman went toe-to-toe with Norbert Nigbur, winning out in the end because of that 1997 UEFA Cup win, arguably the biggest honor the club has boasted, and one of the best goalkeeping performances as well.
Lehman was a stonewall at the back, and when the time came to move into penalty kicks, it was Lehman who laid down the marker, stopping both the first penalty from Ivan Zamorano and what would be the last penalty from Aron Winter. With just one PK scored, Inter would drop 4-1 in what turned into a rather lopsided shootout.
I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention the obscene level of leadership that Lehman brings to any club. Being so outspoken and so commanding added to his overall value, as he was never one to stand for mediocrity from anyone.
No. 8 coming up.