German newspaper Bild seem determined to pinpoint Nabil Bentaleb and several other Schalke players as the reason for the club’s disastrous start to the current season.
Five losses from five games sees Schalke rock bottom of the Bundesliga. They’ve conceded 10 goals, five clubs have conceded the same or more, with Werder Bremen managing to ship 15. However, no side has scored less than Schalke’s two league goals so far this season.
On Monday Bild picked out nine players they labelled ‘Schalke Slackers’, and it was again suggested Bentaleb was showing arrogance in his play, after earlier claims he’d let praise go to his head.
Nabil Bentaleb (21), Benjamin Stambouli, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Baba Rahman (21), Leon Goretzka (21), Klaas jan Huntelaar, Breel Embolo (19), Max Meyer (21) and Franco Di Santo were all named.
The reality is the hype surrounding Bentaleb’s loan move from Tottenham was way too much, and the backlash against the player after the media, and Schalke themselves, talking it up too much will only serve to make his success less likely.
On Wednesday Bild are it again. It’s explained that Schalke coach Markus Weinzierl yesterday held a crisis meeting with his players, and once again the newspaper publish what they say are reasons for the trouble.
Among claims like footballers being paid too much, stars trying to display their own talent rather than work for the team, and the training ground being too nice and comfy, it’s stated several players see Schalke as a stepping stone.
The players named as seeing the club as a springboard are Nabil Bentaleb, Benjamin Stambouli, Yevhen Konoplyanka and Baba Rahman.
Weinzierl is remarkably escaping calls for immediate dismissal from Bild, whilst players are daily criticised not only for their performances, but their attitude, commitment to the club, and general personalities.
It’s all a little odd, and in the case of Bentaleb and some of the other young players, it’s getting a bit too much.
