Schalke: 5 things we learned from 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim

FC Schalke 04 couldn’t close out their home matchup with TSG Hoffenheim. Here are five takeaways from the 1-1 draw.

Although FC Schalke 04 were the much better side for most of the 90 minutes at the Veltins Arena, the Royal Blues once again had to settle for a draw in the Bundesliga this week. However, Schalke showed more fight in this game than in their previous league encounters, and this is truly commendable. At times, it felt like the Schalke of the first half of the season was well and truly back.

Here are five things we learned from the Royal Blues 1-1 draw with TSG Hoffenheim at the Veltins Arena this Saturday.

1. Jean-Clair Todibo can be one of the best

The Royal Blues acquired Jean-Clair Todibo on loan from FC Barcelona this winter, beating other notable clubs around Europe for the center back’s signature. Todibo has been even better than advertised, and he’s honestly been Schalke’s best player over the past month.

He put in another strong shift defensively against Hoffenheim’s attack, as he suffocated Andrej Kramaric and did well against the talented Ihlas Bebou.

Per WhoScored.com, Todibo completed nearly 90 percent of his passes, led the team with five tackles and nine clearances, and completed two dribbles with two fouls drawn. Todibo’s ability to impact all phases of the game is worthy of high praise, and he has been excellent since Ozan Kabak‘s injury. He has all the tools to be one of the best players in the Bundesliga if Schalke can keep him beyond the 2019-2020 season.