FC Schalke 04 wisely sign Bastian Oczipka to extension
FC Schalke 04 left back Bastian Oczipka has played every single minute of the 2019-2020 season, so it’s no surprise that the Royal Blues have rewarded one of the Bundesliga’s best left backs with an extension.
Bastian Oczipka entered the Rückrunde of the 2019-2020 Bundesliga campaign on an expiring contract, but there were plenty of indications that FC Schalke 04 wanted to hammer out an extension with the 31-year-old fullback.
The Royal Blues have officially announced that they’ve signed Oczipka to an extension through 2023. By then, he’ll be 34, so that puts Oczipka in a position to potentially retire with the club he joined in 2017 from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Oczipka has emerged as a crucial player in Schalke’s starting XI. He’s played every single minute of the 2019-2020 season thus far. When Weston McKennie suffered a dislocated shoulder in December as an emergency starter at center back, Oczipka slotted in at center back, playing well in what effectively became a back three with Ozan Kabak and Omar Mascarell.
The former Frankfurt man’s versatility is definitely key. Oczipka has played well as a traditional left back under David Wagner, a left wing back under Domenico Tedesco, and a center back in emergency situations. In 2018-2019 when Schalke struggled, the wing back duo of Oczipka and Daniel Caligiuri, who is also on an expiring contract, kept the team afloat in the Bundesliga.
Oczipka is tied for second on the team with three assists this season. In addition to being a quality defender on the flank, Oczipka is one of the best crossers of the ball at the position in the league, producing accurate left corner deliveries. Per WhoScored.com, he leads the team in crosses per game and is third behind Amine Harit and Caligiuri in key passes per game. Highlighting his all-around impact, Oczipka has three combined tackles and interceptions per game.
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An absolute workhorse in defense and a true two-way fullback. Oczipka has been an unsung hero in Schalke’s stalwart back four. Hopefully, he can continue to play at a high level over the duration of his contract, even as he’ll likely transition into a more reserved role as he gets older. But for now, he has shown no signs of slowing down and is playing at a high level for a team that looks poised to secure Champions League football in 2019-2020. Consider this a deserved and important extension for the 31-year-old left back.