Schalke: 5 players who must step up after loss to RB Leipzig

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GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 22: Amine Harit of Schalke 04 during the German Bundesliga match between Schalke 04 v RB Leipzig at the Veltins Arena on February 22, 2020 in Gelsenkirchen Germany (Photo by Peter Lous/Soccrates/Getty Images) /

CAM Amine Harit

In all honesty, Amine Harit was the best attacker for Schalke on Matchday 23, which tells you all you need to know about how poorly his teammates played. Harit seemed to be the only player trying to get anything done on the ball, but his performance was a far cry from his goal and assist against RB Leipzig in a 3-1 Hinrunde win.

We’re at the point where “trying” isn’t enough for Harit. He’s shown us that he’s one of the most talented players in the Bundesliga and Schalke’s clear star man. Harit needs to be exceptional every week for the Royal Blues, otherwise their European football chances are in doubt.

CM/RM Weston McKennie

Like Harit, Weston McKennie has been one of the few players making positive contributions in the attack. But McKennie has to be even better and more incisive than before, since he’s replacing Daniel Caligiuri as the right midfielder.

McKennie is used to a more central role, whether as a defensive, holding, box-to-box, or attacking midfielder. He’s best in a box-to-box role, which actually serves him well as Caligiuri’s replacement. A jack-of-all-trades player, McKennie needs to be more direct with his passing and running and become more of a partner-in-crime for Harit.

He had zero key passes against Leipzig. Schalke need to get more out of him in this regard.

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