Schalke: 3 unsung heroes of the 2019/20 season

Schalke has had numerous heroes to thank for the way the season has gone, but here are three guys who are worthy of praises that have gone unsung.

It’s been one hell of a season for Schalke. After flirting with competing for a title, injuries derailed what momentum they had and now they look to fight it out for a spot in European competition. Hanging on to sixth place, they still have all the opportunity to move up, and that’s thanks in part to a lot of the heroes you hear about nearly every day.

Ozan Kabak. Jean-Clair Todibo. Jonjoe Kenny. Omar Mascarell. That’s just to name a few. All of these guys have been sensations at the Veltins and are well worthy of the praises that they’ve received, and will continue to receive.

But take care not to forget the guys that are just as responsible for the successes of the season as they are, even if they get far less of the notice. The Kabak’s and the Mascarell’s may steal the spotlight, but it’s so often their partners that don’t get the credit.

So let’s talk about three guys who deserve far more credit than they’re getting this year. We start with a potentially controversial No. 3.

3. Markus Schubert

Whenever Schalke loses a player for free, it’s a hard situation to grasp, and it’s an even harder situation to deal with on the pitch. I think of Leon Goretzka. When he announced that he was leaving for Bayern Munich, Schalke benched him, same as they are doing with Alexander Nubel.

But with Goretzka, replacing him proved impossible right away. They benched him and couldn’t replicate what he brought to the club. It hurt.

With Nubel, Schubert has plugged right in and, while there have been a few slip-ups, he’s been largely reliable and consistent. Which is part of the reason why he’s gone so unsung. There hasn’t been anything to notice. He plugged in at keeper, did the job, and no one is thinking of Nubel.

Again, Schubert has had his slip-ups, and he’s been left stranded by defensive injuries, but for the most part, the transition from Nubel has been seamless and instantaneous.