Release The Knappen
Fansided

Schalke: 5 players to watch against Mainz on Matchday 22

By Kevin Parvizi

GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY - JANUARY 17: Michael Gregoritsch of Schalke 04 during the German Bundesliga match between Schalke 04 v Borussia Monchengladbach at the Veltins Arena on January 17, 2020 in Gelsenkirchen Germany (Photo by Jeroen Meuwsen/Soccrates/Getty Images)
GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY - JANUARY 17: Michael Gregoritsch of Schalke 04 during the German Bundesliga match between Schalke 04 v Borussia Monchengladbach at the Veltins Arena on January 17, 2020 in Gelsenkirchen Germany (Photo by Jeroen Meuwsen/Soccrates/Getty Images) /
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Schalke CM Weston McKennie
GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 08: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Weston McKennie of FC Schalke 04 controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Schalke 04 and SC Paderborn 07 at Veltins-Arena on February 8, 2020 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /

CM Weston McKennie

Without Suat Serdar in the lineup to face his former team, Schalke will need American Weston McKennie to play to his potential on Matchday 22. McKennie has mostly been a backup at the center midfield position this season, so he’s therefore one of the best backup midfielders in European football.

It’s a joy to watch McKennie run his legs off, performing well on both ends of the pitch. Against Mainz, he’ll need to step up even more in the attack, focusing on threatening the improving Robin Zentner while also giving Harit a true outlet to set up attacks. McKennie could have a Man of the Match performance on Sunday if all goes well.

CB Jean-Clair Todibo

As my colleague Josh Sippie wrote on Friday, Jean-Clair Todibo has already gotten off to a great start in Gelsenkirchen. The FC Barcelona loanee looks like a starting-caliber center back in the Bundesliga, and he’s already shown the quality that will make Schalke accept his option to buy from the loan agreement with La Blaugrana.

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A versatile defender who is calm on the ball and has the athleticism to cut out anything, Todibo looks more composed than the average 20-year-old center back. If Ozan Kabak can’t play due to injury, the Schalke back line will still be in safe hands with Todibo as the other young standout starting alongside the dependable Matija Nastasic.

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