FC Schalke 04 had an active 2019 summer transfer window and added a couple of loan signings in the winter period, but how do all the moves grade out?
Although the biggest key to FC Schalke 04‘s remarkable turnaround under David Wagner was improvements made by players like Amine Harit, Omar Mascarell, and Suat Serdar, the Royal Blues did make several brilliant moves in the 2019 summer transfer window.
It’s time to take a look back at Schalke’s recent summer and winter transfer windows, handing out grades based on the players’ performances so far in the 2019-2020 Bundesliga season.
LB Juan Miranda
Schalke signed Juan Miranda from FC Barcelona in the summer on a loan deal, but the loan will not extend after Miranda failed to play in a sufficient number of games this past season.
While Miranda is a promising fullback and can be a quality player for Barcelona or another team, Schalke just couldn’t find space for him in the lineup this season. Bastian Oczipka turned in another strong season at left back, playing in more minutes than anyone else on the team. Therefore, Miranda only played when injuries at center back forced Oczipka to move to central defense.
Although Miranda played OK when he did see the field, it’s hard to see this loan signing as anything other than a bust. The depth was helpful, but Miranda didn’t end up providing the Royal Blues with anything of note.
Grade: D