Schalke Faces Fresh Injury Woes, Increasing Pressure on Transfer Market

Schalke 04 is grappling with a mounting injury crisis that has strained the team's resources and put sports director Frank Baumann under pressure to strengthen the squad. Recently, 19-year-old Ayman Gulasi was diagnosed with a torn right anterior cruciate ligament, ruling him out for months. Additionally, 27-year-old Bryan Lasme suffered a knee ligament injury, sidelining him for several months and adding to the club's pressing concerns. The team also faces potential absence of striker Moussa Sylla, whose participation in the Africa Cup could see him miss crucial games, including the January 17 match against Hertha BSC if Morocco reaches the finals. Furthermore, captain Kenan Karaman has been battling fitness issues and was substituted as a precaution during a recent match against Düsseldorf. Other players like Peter Remmert, Emil Højlund, and Christian Gomis are also currently unavailable or have yet to complete a full match since joining the club. The combined impact of these absences, alongside the inability to offload high earners due to budget constraints, leaves Baumann in a challenging position on the transfer market. However, Schalke's youth prospects—including Vitalie Becker, Mertcan Ayhan, Paul Pöpperl, and Mika Wallentowitz—have shown promise and could provide some relief during this difficult phase. Adding to injury concerns, Tim Kleindienst and Robin Hack are out due to setbacks following knee surgeries, ruling them out of the next match against Wolfsburg and generating uncertainty about their return timelines.