Schalke: Benito Raman has settled, and it’s beautiful

FC Schalke 04’s biggest need these past few years has been to find a consistent presence at the top. They have that in Benito Rama, and it’s pretty awesome.

FC Schalke 04‘s defense is pristine. Four guys, all of whom belong at or near the top of just about any Bundesliga defense. We thought it was just two guys, but having now seen Ozan Kabak and Matija Nastasic, it’s safe to say we got a nice crop here. The attack though? That wasn’t so hot. Until Benito Raman.

Since his big breakthrough against Arminia Bielefeld, when he scored two goals, he’s been irreplaceable. Four goals and three assists in that time, spread across nine matches. His longest goal contribution drought in that time was 110 minutes. That’s nothing.

He was noticeably absent with the flu against Bayern Munich, and it’s led to more people questioning how Schalke are going to solve their “scoring woes”. But that question does a tremendous disservice to Benito Raman. He has solved their scoring woes. We just need a little extra bump to match the likes of Bayern, Leipzig and Dortmund.

What’s great about Benito Raman is that he’s officially set that foundation for what we can expect to see out of him. It wasn’t a fluke or anything, that’s the real him.

More from Release The Knappen

• Schalke 04: Arkadiusz Milik would take everything, but he’s worth it
• Schalke 04: Ozan Kabak makes Jean-Claire Todibo pass quietly
• Schalke 04: Omar Mascarell the only boost between now and then
• Schalke 04: David Wagner just has to make it to the end of the season
• Schalke 04: At least we still have Weston McKennie

For instance, look at the match against Hertha Berlin. Not a whole lot going on here, attacking wise, but Raman still maintained a stellar presence. His pressing and refusal to give up on any ball gave us our best chance of the match and his speed was a constant threat over the top.

The only problem was that Hertha defended remarkably well. Same as Die Knappen.

FC Schalke 04 have been dying for an attacker like him, someone who gives Amine Harit a permanent option to look for on the break, on the counter, on the anything that involves hitting the opposing goal. That’s the main thing we’ve needed and David Wagner knows we have it.

Why else you think he was so quick to part with Mark Uth at long last? And I’d wager that Guido Burgstaller is no far behind.

Raman is changing the face of this attack. No, he has changed the face of the attack. All we have to do is add a little beefiness around him and you will start to see an attack just as exciting as our defense.