With 28 players, FC Schalke 04 set off for the Austrian training camp in Längenfeld. From today until August 29, the crisis club in Tyrol is preparing for the new season.
Surprisingly, in addition to Weston McKennie (21), Nabil Bentaleb (25) is also in the squad. Bentaleb is returning to S04 for the first time in a year. The Algerian, who still has a contract with Schalke until 2021, should actually have trained at Schalke again last week after his vacation, but was released by sports director Jochen Schneider to talk to potential buyers.
The creative player, who has often fallen out of favor and was relegated to the U23 by David Wagner last year, was loaned to Premier League club Newcastle United in the second half of last season. The Magpies let the stipulated purchase clause of ten million euros expire and are now hoping for a lower sum in transfer poker.
McKennie before moving to England
McKennie is also toying with a move to the Premier League. After has the best cards SPORT1-Information from FC Southampton coached by Ralph Hasenhüttl. It cannot be ruled out that the American might even leave if the transfer talks broke down during the training camp.
In Längenfeld, the royal blues, who recently caused negative headlines with two test failures against third division clubs Verl (4: 5) and Uerdingen (1: 3), want to work primarily in the area of stamina and endurance.
“We only have one preparation this season because there is no winter break. As a result, we have to use the time now to lay the foundation for almost ten months,” explains coach David Wagner, who is under increasing pressure. “That is why we will also focus on athletics in Längenfeld. The program is rounded off by the test matches.”
Schalke tests against Magath club
On Monday, Schalke will test in front of around 700 fans against second division promoted Würzburger Kickers with director Felix Magath (6 p.m.). On August 28th there will be a double pack test (opponent still unknown).
Schalke expects a great start into the new Bundesliga season. After the first round match in the DFB-Pokal, the Gelsenkirchen team will face Bayern, Bremen, Leipzig, Union and Dortmund.
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