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FC Schalke 04: Already friction between Alexander Nubel, Manuel Neuer?

By Kevin Parvizi

LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - DECEMBER 07: Alexander Nuebel of FC Schalke 04 gestures during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Schalke 04 at BayArena on December 7, 2019 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - DECEMBER 07: Alexander Nuebel of FC Schalke 04 gestures during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Schalke 04 at BayArena on December 7, 2019 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /
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FC Schalke 04 goalkeeper Alexander Nubel decided to sign a five-year contract with Bayern Munich upon the expiration of his current deal with the Royal Blues at the end of the season, but he may already be running into problems with current Bayern starter Manuel Neuer.

Alexander Nubel has been FC Schalke 04’s captain and one of their best players this season, as the 23-year-old has shown why he’s one of the best young goalkeepers in all of Europe. There was optimism that Nubel would choose to re-sign with Schalke during a highly successful first season under manager David Wagner, but Nubel ultimately decided to join the richer and more successful club, even at the expense of regular playing time.

Because at Bayern Munich, Nubel will have to play second fiddle to another former Schalke star keeper in Manuel Neuer. The long-time Germany starter has done his best to squash competition – and doubters in his abilities – over the past few seasons, even getting his bosses to politic for him to start over the superior Marc-Andre ter Stegen with the national team.

Still, even at the age of 33, Neuer remains one of the best keepers in the Bundesliga. It will take some time for Nubel to supplant the veteran starter in Bavaria, but Neuer is already reportedly worried about the youngster who is set to breath down his neck.

According to a report from BILD, via voebtalzone.nl, Neuer wants to play every single match for Bayern, including the less important ones. So when Nubel was given assurances of playing time – reportedly at least 15 matches in all competitions in 2020-2021 – upon signing a contract with Bayern, Neuer took issue.

Neuer has taken the same stance with the German national team. He wants to play in every single game, no matter what. As admirable as his love for the game is, Neuer is 33 and needs to step aside sometimes for younger players. Bayern needs to think more about its future, and, as for the German national team, Neuer may no longer be their best option.

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We’ll see if there actually is any drama between Neuer and Nubel, or if this is a case of Neuer having an initial gut reaction to the move. Hopefully, the two men can co-exist in Munich, because it would be nice to see Nubel to do well there, as disheartening as it was for Schalke fans to see him choose Die Roten over Die Knappen.

That said, this isn’t necessarily the best early sign for Nubel at Bayern. He’ll have to fight tooth and nail for his place, since things can get cutthroat quickly when playing for the record champions.