Sebastian Rudy to feature at right-back for Schalke 04
Sebastian Rudy will be playing as a right-back for Schalke 04 when the new season kicks off, reveals head coach David Wagner.
| Sebastian Rudy. | Photo: Елена Рыбакова, Soccer.ru, CC BY-SA 3.0 |
Speaking in an interview posted on Schalke's website in the wake of Schalke's 3-0 victory over Bochum in a friendly on Saturday, Wagner spoke about his plans with the versatile 30-year-old, who is also capable of playing in the middle of the park.
"He has played at right-back in the last two seasons, and I think he has done a really good job there," Wagner said and added:
"Right now, he's the player who can help us the most in this position. Sebastian is a smart and really experienced player. I had a long and open conversation with him a while ago. We have lots of midfielders, but not so many options at right-back.
"I told Sebastian that I consider him our best option at right-back. I hadn't even got to the end of the sentence and it was clear – Sebastian is relishing this challenge."
Wagner also provided an update on Mark Uth, who has been linked with a return to FC Köln, where he spent the second half of last season on loan.
"Mark still has two years on his contract with us, and we don't want to discuss his availability as he's firmly in our plans. 100%. It's fine that Köln think he's a good player and it’s understandable that Mark enjoyed his time in his home city. Even the fact that Mark has come out and said that isn't a problem. It's important for me and the club that Mark gives it his all, invests in the side and plays well. And that's exactly what he's doing," Wagner said.
