GK Markus Schubert
A free transfer from Dynamo Dresden, goalkeeper Markus Schubert will go down as one of the best signings in recent memory in the Bundesliga. It’s a bold claim to make, but the 21-year-old was significantly better than Alexander Nübel, who ended up agreeing to a free transfer to Bayern Munich in the winter window.
Despite being two years younger and making his first starts in the Bundesliga following Nübel’s December red card, Schubet was far less mistake-prone than the Bayern-bound goalkeeper. Better yet, only Yann Sommer posted a superior post-shot expected goals minus goals allowed total.
Schubert is the future in Gelsenkirchen, and nothing but the highest praise should be given to the club for bringing him in for free.
Grade: A+
FW Michael Gregoritsch
Schalke needed another forward at the winter transfer window to help Benito Raman, but they honestly would have been better off putting more trust in youngsters Ahmed Kutucu and Rabbi Matondo instead of acquiring Michael Gregoritsch.
The loan deal will end up costing Schalke 500,000 euros, and although that doesn’t seem like much, every little bit adds up now. Schalke could have never foreseen the current financial situation developing, but the cost still has to be accounted for when evaluating the deal.
Signing Gregoritsch on loan was a bright idea that just didn’t work out. Gregoritsch was brilliant in his debut against Borussia Mönchengladbach but has been an unmitigated disaster since, to the point where the Royal Blues are indeed better without him in the lineup.
Grade: D