FC Schalke 04 continue to monitor the talent pool in the Bundesliga for potential young stars, and they appear to have interest in Noah Katterbach of FC Köln.
Deals – and rumored deals – between FC Köln and FC Schalke 04 are nothing new. Already this January, we’ve seen Mark Uth loaned to the Billy Goats, former Royal Blues star Benedikt Höwedes linked to Bundesliga returnees, and (refuted) rumors of interest in young Köln keeper Julian Krahl.
Now, according to Express.de, via BuLiNews.com, the Royal Blues reportedly have interest in another young Köln player in Noah Katterbach.
The 18-year-old left back has been one of Köln’s standouts this season in their first campaign back in Germany’s top flight. Katterbach looks like a future German star, playing 718 minutes in nine appearances and becoming a key part of the squad.
He and former left back Jonas Hector have done their best to keep the club floating above water, as they are in 13th place with just three points separating them from 16th-place Werder Bremen in the relegation zone.
Schalke recently extended starting left back Bastian Oczipka through 2023, as the 31-year-old has played in every single minute for Die Knappen this season. Ozipka remains one of the best left backs in the Bundesliga, but he’ll have to transition into a different role by the time his contract ends, which would be near retirement age. By then, Katterbach could be an excellent option.
Seemingly destined for a bigger club, Katterbach’s contract runs out in 2021, which explains why he’s being linked with a team favored to earn a Champions League spot for next season. Köln will do what they can to keep Katterbach, who is already a key player and has massive upside, but it’s great to see that Schalke are already mulling over their options.
Katterbach is averaging 1.9 interceptions per game and 2.1 dribbles per game, according to WhoScored.com, which are signs of serious ability at the position. Although his passing needs plenty of work, Katterbach has the raw tools to make a big impact in the Bundesliga one day.