Release The Knappen
Fansided

Schalke could sign another prospect from Dynamo Dresden

By Kevin Parvizi

23 November 2019, Hamburg: Soccer: 2nd Bundesliga, 14th matchday, Hamburger SV - Dynamo Dresden in the Volksparkstadion. Hamburg's Bobby Wood (r) and Dresden's Kevin Ehlers in the duel for the ball. Photo: Christian Charisius/dpa - IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the requirements of the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga or the DFB Deutscher Fußball-Bund, it is prohibited to use or have used photographs taken in the stadium and/or the match in the form of sequence images and/or video-like photo sequences. (Photo by Christian Charisius/picture alliance via Getty Images)
23 November 2019, Hamburg: Soccer: 2nd Bundesliga, 14th matchday, Hamburger SV - Dynamo Dresden in the Volksparkstadion. Hamburg's Bobby Wood (r) and Dresden's Kevin Ehlers in the duel for the ball. Photo: Christian Charisius/dpa - IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the requirements of the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga or the DFB Deutscher Fußball-Bund, it is prohibited to use or have used photographs taken in the stadium and/or the match in the form of sequence images and/or video-like photo sequences. (Photo by Christian Charisius/picture alliance via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Last summer, FC Schalke 04 signed one of the most talented young goalkeepers in Germany in Markus Schubert, who joined from Dynamo Dresden. Could the Royal Blues add another prospect from the 2. Bundesliga club in 2020?

FC Schalke 04 are loaded at the center back position when everyone is healthy. Ozan Kabak is already arguably the best center back in the league despite only being 19, Salif Sane is another one of the Bundesliga’s best, Benjamin Stambouli is as consistent as they come, Matija Nastasic is of starting quality, and Barcelona loanee Jean-Clair Todibo has a world of potential.

Since Sane and Stambouli are getting older and both Nastasic and Sane have been mentioned in transfer rumors before, Schalke should start thinking about continuing their youth movement at the center back position. Kabak is the only young center back guaranteed to remain with the club in 2020-2021, as the option to buy in Todibo’s deal can be “bought back” by Barca. And in Kabak’s case, nothing is guaranteed after 2021 when his release clause kicks in.

According to a report from WeltFussball.de, Schalke are among several Bundesliga teams showing interest in intriguing Dynamo Dresden center back prospect Kevin Ehlers.

The 19-year-old is in the midst of an encouraging season with the club, as WhoScored.com has him tabbed with 1.5 interceptions per game, nearly 60 passes per game, and a pass completion percentage of nearly 90 percent.

Those are excellent numbers for a teenage center back, even if they are in the 2. Bundesliga. The league is one of the most competitive second divisions in world football. Dresden are the worst team in the league with only 17 points from 21 games, but they’ve allowed fewer goals than four of the teams above them in the table.

Bayern Munich, Borussia Mönchengladbach, RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen, SC Freiburg, TSG Hoffenheim, and VfL Wolfsburg are all interested in Ehlers, per the report. Three of those clubs are title contenders, and the worst of them – Freiburg and Wolfsburg – have flirted with European qualification in one of the past two seasons.

Ehlers can have his pick if his season continues, as he has great traits at the position. But if Schalke want him, they stand a good chance of signing him. Kabak has shown that young defenders can make great strides playing in Gelsenkirchen.

Beginning of the end for Caligiuri?. dark. Next

As for the price, Ehlers should come cheap, especially since Dresden will likely be relegated to the 3. Bundesliga.