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FC Schalke 04: No, a Sandro Wagner deal isn’t happening

By Kevin Parvizi

BEIJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 26: Sandro Wagner #9 of Tianjin Teda in action during 2019 China Super League - Beijing Guoan v Tianjin Teda at Beijing Workers Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)
BEIJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 26: Sandro Wagner #9 of Tianjin Teda in action during 2019 China Super League - Beijing Guoan v Tianjin Teda at Beijing Workers Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images) /
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FC Schalke 04 could use another striker with Mark Uth injured and Guido Burgstaller continuing to struggle to find the back of the net, but don’t count on Sandro Wagner being an option.

Former Bundesliga star Sandro Wagner is currently enjoying his time in the Chinese Super League at Tianjin Teda. A backup striker for Robert Lewandowski at Bayern Munich in the first half of the 2018-2019 season, Wagner scored 12 goals with two assists in a successful first season in China.

Wagner’s quality play for Tianjin Teda has led to rumors of a Bundesliga return. Because of FC Schalke 04’s issues with finding goals at the forward position, this has naturally led most of the speculation to focus on the Royal Blues.

However, Sport1 are here to refute these rumors, as they report that Wagner is not considering a return to the Bundesliga as an option. At 32 and likely enjoying his chance to star in the Chinese Super League, this stance makes sense.

Schalke don’t need Wagner either. Benito Raman has scored in each of the past three games and is looking like a breakout star in his first season with the team from rivals Fortuna Dusseldorf. He needs help, but Suat Serdar and Amine Harit are also capable of providing goals. And 19-year-old forwards Ahmed Kutucu and Rabbi Matondo have serious star potential.

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Plus, if Mark Uth can get healthy after dealing with more adductor problems, perhaps he will return to his Hoffenheim form under new Schalke manager David Wagner. The Royal Blues have another veteran option in Guido Burgstaller, and while he doesn’t have half of the class Wagner does, Burgstaller is a hard-working leader who has his place on the bench.

Schalke simply need to trust their young forwards more, keep feeding Raman, and prioritize Uth’s health. They don’t need to go for a guy like Wagner, and, well, Wagner doesn’t need to worry about a return to the Bundesliga. He can keep banging in the goals in China.