Schalke: Grading every new transfer for the 2019-2020 season

RB Jonjoe Kenny

A much better signing made by Jochen Schneider and Die Knappen, England international Jonjoe Kenny has quickly become a fan favorite in Gelsenkirchen and one of the team’s most important players.

Despite missing some time in the Rückrunde with injury, Kenny has the second-most minutes played of anyone on Schalke in the 2019-2020 season thus far. So it’s no surprise that the Royal Blues REALLY want to extend their loan deal with Everton, but this won’t be an easy effort.

Kenny made some mistakes defensively and was exposed against stronger teams tactically in the Rückrunde, but, overall, he was a positive influence and a key part of Schalke’s build-up play.

Grade: A-

CB Jean-Clair Todibo

Another loan signing in defense whom the Royal Blues will be keen to have for another year, Jean-Clair Todibo has been an even better player than Jonjoe Kenny. He hasn’t played more than 2,000 minutes or become a regular starter like Kenny, but he was named the February Player of the Month for a reason. When Todibo is in the lineup, he’s one of the best players on the pitch.

Todibo has “star quality” written all over him as an all-action center back who is comfortable on the ball and frequently making tackles and interceptions. If Schalke could keep him for at least one more season, he and Ozan Kabak would probably be the league’s center back pairing.

It’s unlikely the Royal Blues will be able to afford to buy him permanently for 30 million euros, but this deal was a brilliant piece of business.

Grade: A