Football Season Guide

Schalke are another big club who have lost their way in recent years and last season was another disappointing one. Thomas Reis looked to have the credentials to get Schalke back up to the top-flight, but after four defeats from their first 7 games he was sacked. Replacement Karel Geraerts struggled at first as the side hovered about the drop-zone. Eventually the team found some consistency and finished tenth. Geraerts still has work to do to convince supporters he is the man to take Schalke forward but there were signs at the end of last season that this could be the case. Work has been under way in the summer to try to make some of the right-choice additions. In terms of outgoings, the loss of young talents Ouedraogo and Topp to the Bundesliga is a blow while goalkeeper Muller has also been snapped up by Wolfsburg. There is likely to be more departures before the window shuts, with some players surplus to requirements. The goalkeeping position obviously needed addressing after the loss of Muller, so the club have turned to Ron-Thorben Hoffmann as his replacement. The 25 year-old came of age for Eintracht Braunschweig last season with his athletic frame and quick reactions. The centre-forward position also needed strengthening after Terodde hung up his boots after a successful career. Geraerts has looked to youth as the answer with Dane Emil Hojlund looking to emulate his brother Rasmus in the striking ranks, he certainly has the potential. The standout signings could be pacy winger Moussa Sylla, who has an eye for a goal. The Malian international came through the ranks at Monaco but really hit form at former club Pau last season. He has also impressed in pre-season, scoring 7 times in 4 matches. 17 year-old attacking midfielder Aris Bayindir is another one to look out for from Leipzig. The other area Schalke have looked to improve on is in defence. Full-backs Gatenbein and Donkor both have joined, along with Sanchez and Wasinski at centre-back.