RM Weston McKennie
The American is now crucial for Schalke’s hopes at European football in 2020-2021 with injuries to Suat Serdar and Omar Mascarell. He is the only player with the remaining all-around quality on both ends of the pitch, but particularly defensively with his tactical understanding, to somewhat fill that gap. McKennie has so much potential for Schalke, and these are the times of the season where he needs to show his ability.
CM Nassim Boujellab
The talented young German midfielder could be an X-Factor for Schalke in March, but it would be unfair to expect much from him. Still, he should start out of necessity and could be a breakout star over the remaining months of the 2019-2020 season. Boujellab hasn’t been given many opportunities this season, but he is a must-start now that he’s gotten his feet wet with some decent enough substitute appearances.
LM Alessandro Schöpf
I would prefer to see Rabbi Matondo or Ahmed Kutucu in a more creative starting lineup, but David Wagner will likely continue to use three center-ish midfielders behind the traditional No. 10 Amine Harit to pack the middle of the pitch as Schalke’s structure. Schöpf is an extremely limited player technically, but he works extremely hard and is fast. The work rate should be enough, and there will be plenty of industry among him, McKennie, and Boujellab.