Schalke’s latest acquisition, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Tranquillo-Barnetta-c35516, claims that he had to move on from Bayer Leverkusen after a difficult last year.
The 27-year old recently sealed his move to the Veltins arena on a free transfer. He was snapped up by Huub Stevens after his contact at the Bayer Arena expired.
Barnetta spent eight years with Bayer Leverkusen and was an integral part of their first team squad. In those eight years, he made a total of 180 appearances and bagged 23 goal league goals.
Considering his 59 appearances for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Switzerland-c3016, the playmaker has considerable amount of international experience and has impressed on the international stage. The midfielder’s fine career has been marred with injuries, which have
hindered his development.
Barnetta’s career at the Bayer Arena was cut short by his niggling injury problems. He fell out with the former Leverkusen manager Robin Dutt, who dropped him from the first team.
Dutt’s replacement Sami Hyypia did not favour the Swiss international either. The 27-year old was frozen out from the first team and was not getting any game time at all.
After falling out of favour, the playmaker decided to move on. He revealed the move to Schalke was based purely on footballing reasons. The lures of UEFA Champions league football, passionate fan base and a top-four finish in the
Bundesliga were enough for him to opt for a move to Die Knappen.
"The fans are unique, and then there's the sporting challenge of the Champions League. At this club, we want to play at the very top of the Bundesliga," he is quoted as saying in an interview.
The former Leverkusen number 7 revealed that he will be wearing the number 27 shirt at his new club. He insists he did not ask for his usual number 7 to avoid comparisons with the former Schalke number 7, Raul, who in his opinion
is in a class of his own.
"I have not asked for the No.7. It would not be appropriate to compare myself to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Raul-c30652." He added.
Barnetta’s addition to the current Schalke squad will strengthen Huub Stevens’ side. Die Knappen already have a very strong squad and the new acquisitions will certainly put them among the contenders to win the Bundesliga.
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