Schalke 04: 3 players that can make a difference against FC Augsburg

1. Weston McKennie

Maybe it’s that I expect the world out of Weston McKennie, or maybe it’s that he’s spoiled us with some fantastic performances this year, but I always expect McKennie to step up. This year, he has been, but he’s also had Omar Mascarell to back him up.

Against Dortmund, McKennie had the most flashes of positive, as he was still adept at winning the ball back, but his passing and decision-making did not follow suit. There was too much wasted possession, especially in points of danger when the Royal Blues might have actually mounted a threat.

McKennie will continue to be called upon to step up so long as Mascarell is gone and, much like Serdar, his task is to just establish some kind of control in the midfield. Which is tough, because McKennie’s game is not about control at all. He’s all action and there will always be a place for that in just about any team, but at some point, he has to learn how to push the chill button and just settle.

Augsburg should give him an excellent chance to settle. To just be cool. To let the game move around him and not force the issue. That’s the Weston McKennie version of stepping up.