FC Schalke 04: 5 players we are thankful for in 2019-2020

GK Alexander Nubel

Already a world-class goalkeeper despite only being 23 years old, Alexander Nubel’s interest from top clubs like Bayern Munich and Tottenham is no surprise. Nubel would already be good enough to start over Manuel Neuer and Hugo Lloris if those clubs were being objective, but, at Schalke, he doesn’t have to deal with politicking. He is the unquestioned starter and the captain, showing leadership beyond his years.

The comparisons to Neuer are natural, but there’s something special about what Nubel brings to the table for the Royal Blues. He knows exactly when to be vocal and when to let his teammates take over. On a team that features Bastian Oczipka, Daniel Caligiuri, Benjamin Stambouli, Guido Burgstaller, Sane, and other great veterans, it says a lot that Nubel has been able to take on this leadership role without any issues at the age of 23.

Hopefully, Nubel chooses to stay in Gelsenkirchen and pursue a league title with the Royal Blues, but no matter what he decides, Schalke fans will always be grateful for what he’s done.

CM Suat Serdar

After flashing his potential in 2018-2019 on a Schalke team that was doomed to the bottom half of the Bundesliga table, Suat Serdar has been a huge reason for the Royal Blues’ turnaround under David Wagner. He’s fulfilled the role Leon Goretzka held as the standout box-to-box midfielder for the Schalke team that finished second in 2017-2018, and Serdar’s had as profound of an impact as the current Bayern Munich man.

Serdar’s impressed so much that Joachim Low’s had no choice but to call him up to the German national team over the last couple of international breaks. And the young midfielder hasn’t looked out of place on the national team either, putting in the same hard-working, well-rounded displays that have made him a fan favorite in the Bundesliga.