Markus Schubert: It doesn't matter to me if Schalke sign a new goalkeeper
Markus Schubert claims it wouldn't be a problem to him if Schalke 04 signed a new goalkeeper.
Markus Schubert insists it makes no difference to him if Schalke 04 decide to bring in a new goalkeeper for next season.
Schalke coach David Wagner said in March that he was planning to let Schubert play until the end of the season at the expense of Alexander Nübel, who will be joining Bayern München this summer.
However, after a string of underwhelming performances, the 22-year-old was dropped to the bench towards the end of May.
Now, Schalke are reportedly looking for a new first-choice goalkeeper, but Schubert claims he isn't worried about his future role at the club.
"It doesn't matter to me whether a new goalkeeper comes. I'm only focusing on myself. My goal is to be the number one at Schalke next season. That's what I will be fighting for," he told Sport Bild and added:
"When the new season begins everyone starts from zero again - including us goalkeepers. I will continue to work hard on myself, I want to improve physically and give my all to play."
Asked how he feels about Wagner's decision to drop him, Schubert responded:
"I couldn't be disappointed in anyone but myself. I haven't always been able to reach my full potential and live up to my own expectations. But the reasons for this can clearly be found within myself."
"I said to myself, 'You're the number one, you have to perform and help Schalke get back on track'. That way, I put too much pressure on myself. When I look back at the games I've played, this becomes more and more clear to me."
Schalke 04 have been linked with a number of goalkeepers in recent weeks, including Zack Steffen (on loan at Fortuna Düsseldorf from Manchester City), Mark Flekken (Freiburg) and Sven Ulreich (Bayern München).