Reis hints at start for Frey, addresses Isidor rumors
FC Schalke 04 trainer Thomas Reis hinted at an immediate start for newly acquired striker Michael Frey and also addressed a transfer rumor at his Monday presser.
| Wilson Isidor | Антон Зайцев CC-BY-SA 3.0 |
One play who did come off the bench and come close to registering a tally was newly-acquired Swiss striker Michael Frey. The on-loan Royal Antwerp forward forced a tough sprawl save out of SGE keeper Kevin Trapp from about five meters out at 90+4. Reis' current starter, 2. Bundesliga legend Simon Terodde, has never been considered an actor with top-level finishing ability.
"I have nothing against throwing new players in without hesitation," Reis said at a Monday press conference when asked about whether Frey will start against Leipzig tomorrow, "He's learned a lot in Belgium about finishing. He [Frey] is a dynamic type."
Following Sebastian Polter's ACL tear and a bid for Union Berlin attacker Tim Skarke that fell through, Schalke remain in the market for at least one more player who can work both on the flanks and in the center. Russian news sources, confirmed by German broadcaster Sport1, claim that the Königsblauen are interested in bringing in Lokomotiv Moscow striker Wilson Isidor.
According to the latest reports from Sport1, Schalke have tendered a loan offer inclusive a loan fee of approximately €200,000. Reis was asked about the Frenchman, who came through the Rennes youth academy and once played at AS Monaco. Reis more or less confirmed that there had been talks.
"I know the player," Reis said, " As long as the transfer window is open, we have the chance to strengthen the squad selectively. We will see if this player is feasible.We are not giving up hope."
A potential problem with the loan remains the special FIFA transfer regulation that allows players to suspend their contracts with Russian clubs due to Russia's war of aggression with Ukraine. Schalke already have one such player on their roster in the form of Czech midfielder Alex Kral (Spartak Moscow).
According to "Sport1", Isidor already being courted by FC Lorient, who have made promises to honor the loan agreement. Given the amount of animosity towards Russia presently in the Bundesrepublik, it might be the case that loan players such as Kral or (to take another example) Chidera Ejuke of Hertha BSC and CSKA Moscow will even be returning to their parent clubs.
At his presser, Reis made clear that his team's goal-scoring issues weren't merely about strikers, but also their support staff in the midfield. Reis confirmed that Dominick Drexler would again be available to start in the ten-slot against RB. One could probably assume that Drexler would start above Jordan Larsson.
#Reis über #Frey: Michael hat in Antwerpen viel dazugelernt, hat eine gute Mentalität und will sich auf Schalke beweisen. Wir haben jetzt, trotz des Ausfalls von Polter, eine gute Mischung im Sturm.#S04 | #S04PK | #S04RBL pic.twitter.com/dFsuVyAptX
— FC Schalke 04 (@s04) January 23, 2023
