Die Knappen have a strong squad at their disposal but certain areas need strengthening if they want to challenge Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund for the title.
Huub Stevens’ side has had a terrific first-half of the campaign in the Bundesliga and the displays are in complete contrast to that of the previous season when they ended in a disappointing 14th place. The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Royal-95-c40387 Blues currently stand in third place with 34 points from the 17 games played, three points adrift of current leaders, Bayern Munich.
The DFB-Pokal holders have been neck-to-neck with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund so far in the league but will they be able to mount a title challenge until the end, remains to be seen. The club’s strike force is surely one of the best in the league with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Raul-c30652 Gonzalez both in inspired form since the start of the season.
The only obstacle looks to be the central defence. Joel Matip and Kyriakos Papadopoulos have featured in the heart of defence for most of the first-half of the season. There is no question on the immense talent and quality the duo has but questions can be raised on the inexperience they have had at the highest level.
Matip, who has recently signed a new deal, is naturally a defensive midfielder whereas Papadopoulos is too young to be given the responsibility in the centre. The club needs a player who has great experience and the leadership qualities to star in that position. Here is a look at some possible options:
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Felipe-Santana-c13545
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Value: 4 million Euros
The Borussia Dortmund defender has failed to breakthrough into the first-team for some time now because of some sensational performances from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Neven-Subotic-c27632. The duo’s impressive displays in the past few months have made sure that the Brazilian gets limited playing opportunities and a chance to play regular football at a club like Schalke would be a huge plus for him.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Daniel-Van-Buyten-c10095
Club: Bayern Munich
Value: 3 million Euros
The veteran has lost his first-team place to new signing Jerome Boateng since the start of the season. The player put in a series of disappointing performances last season which led to a third place finish for Bayern Munich in the previous campaign. But no one can deny his class as a central defender although a transfer to Schalke is highly unlikely considering the intense rivalry between the two sides.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Serdar-Tasci-c32929
Club: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/VfB-Stuttgart-c40879
Value: 10 million Euros
The 24-year old German international is one of the most sought after defenders in the Bundesliga at the moment. He has been heavily linked with moves to English giants http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 in the last few months. Die Knappen would definitely benefit from the transfer considering the player’s ability at a relatively young age but the transfer value could be a huge obstacle for them. They would not be willing to pay 10 million Euros for a defender.
Huub Stevens should be assessing his options in the January transfer window and with the club’s next fixture almost two weeks away, a change could well be on the cards. The Royal Blues will face VfB Stuttgart in their next league fixture at the Veltins-Arena, in search of their 12th win of the ongoing campaign.
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