Schalke: Markus Schubert’s job just got tougher in a good way

Markus Schubert is the No. 1 Schalke keeper by default, but his job is going to get even harder now than it was before and we’re all the better for it.

Markus Schubert chose Schalke 04 for a reason, and that’s because he saw an opportunity to further his own career at the Veltins. He was absolutely right in his decision, and so was the club, as he looks to be the real deal, capable of holding down the No. 1 keeper job with ease.

That said, it’s been a heck of a time since he joined, figuring out what’s next for him. At first, he was the No. 2 to Alexander Nubel, who hadn’t decided his own future next. Then, when Nubel announced his decision to leave, Schubert was thrust into the No. 1 role and forced to adapt accordingly. He did that more or less, but his job has become even less secure now that he has the job at all.

In a good way though.

Markus Schubert has his hands fuller now than ever before to keep Schalke 04 starting job

What Schubert was up against before was another keeper roughly his age who was probably going to leave. Even best-case scenario of Nubel staying, Schubert knew he was in it for the long-haul.

You’d think that Nubel leaving would make Schubert’s job easier, but it did the exact opposite, because Schubert is up against a much fiercer opponent this time around. Rather than being up against a young keeper with delusions of grandeur, now Schubert is up against a borderline Schalke legend who wants nothing more than that No. 1 job again.

With the rest of the season yet to play out, Schubert has a run-up to prove that he should be the No. 1 keeper, all the while knowing that Ralf Fahrmann is going to come back stronger than ever, ready to claim the position that he vacated for Nubel. He expects the job and it’s going to be hard to convince David Wagner that he shouldn’t have it. He is, after all, far more proven than Nubel and Schubert combined.

Schubert had his questionable moments against Bayern Munich, and while he has had some outstanding moments as well, overall, he needs to prove that he can be trusted. He has the season to do that. After this season, he has a brand new opponent that is going to be harder to unseat than Nubel was.

All in all, though, it’s a great place for Schalke as a club to be in.