Schalke 04 have a great striker talent in their own ranks. The club now wants to decide whether the player will be allowed to join the pros next season.
Gelsenkirchen – The squad planning for the coming season at FC Schalke 04 depends largely on the league affiliation. The purchase options for several players can only be drawn upon relegation, the club will probably find it difficult to inspire others with a year in the 2nd Bundesliga. The table position at the end of the season is also decisive for the future of U19 striker Keke Topp.
Schalke 04 decides Keke Topp’s future: U23 or jump to the pros?
Discussions are currently “underway” regarding how the 18-year-old goalscorer will continue in the new season. This was explained by Knappenschmiede director Mathias Schober WAZ. After two U19 years, Topp is regarding to make the leap to the senior level. According to Schober, however, “it has not yet been finally decided” whether it will first go to the U23s in the regional league or directly to the professionals.
That also depends on how the season progresses for the pros. And of “whether one or the other purchase option applies,” says Schober. In any case, the Schalke youth boss is certain that Topp will take further steps with the S04. Born in Gnarrenburg, he was already able to get his first professional air.
Keke Topp is only allowed to get a taste of professional life for a short time: Schalke 04 is focusing on a new youth philosophy
After a short spell in the second division season, Topp trained with the Schalke professionals for the second half of the season. The promotion was due to Sebastian Polter’s cruciate ligament injury. But Topp didn’t stay in Thomas Reis’ training group for long.
The S04 filled the resulting gap on the offensive with winter newcomer Michael Frey. For Topp it went back to Norbert Elgert’s A-Juniors, where the clipper was needed in the final spurt of the season. The striker scored 12 goals in 15 league games for the U19s. Schalke missed the final round of the German championship as third in the table.
Was allowed to train with the Schalke pros for a short time: U19 striker Keke Topp
© Tim Rehbein/RHR-PHOTO
However, the fact that Topp was not able to establish himself in the squad of Schalke professionals and went back to the U19s should not be understood as a degradation. It is not the philosophy of the Royal Blues that “the boys are constantly jumping back and forth between the teams,” said Schober. Talents should only join the professionals on a permanent basis “when they can really keep up or are even better than the existing staff.”
S04 wants to protect U19 striker Keke Topp: It’s not far from “bearer of hope” to “scapegoat”.
In addition, the S04 also wanted to protect its storm jewel. It is not helpful for development to be the “bearer of hope” in Schalke’s situation. If a striker misses a lot of chances in the Bundesliga relegation battle, he quickly becomes a scapegoat, says Schober. “It doesn’t matter whether you’re 18 or 35.”
For the new season, Topp might join the pros in peace and without the great pressure of expectations. Whether that will happen or whether the 18-year-old will first be brought up to the senior level in the regional league will probably be decided following the end of the current season at the latest.
List of rubrics: © Tim Rehbein/RHR-Foto – Montage: RUHR24