McKennie and Wright named in a Goal.com article on the top 5 talents in Schalke's youth system U-19 and up. This article is in German.They threw in a U-23 player just for the sake of it, I think, to make it seem like they have to pick players from both teams, but I don't think that guy belongs. http://www.goal.com/de/news/3643/ex...e-mckennie-co-fünf-top-talente-von-schalke-04 By my estimation, the top five (in no particular order) are McKennie, Wright, Kubler, and two of Kruger, Goller and Taitague, based on what I've read and the little I've watched of their play this season, potential, pro readiness.
Great interview. All three sound intelligent, driven, and grateful. You can tell how they bought into the culture of living and breathing football 24-7. Weston is particular was well spoken and you can understand right off the bat why he has worn the armband for club and country. I hope within the next 12 to 18 months these guys can break into the first team.
I expect Haji will be the first one to break through....kid has a nose for goal and his time with a Schalke has been invaluable for his development....smart decision on his part....Schalke needs to get rid of a few of those strikers and give the guy a shot, because he's making the U-19s his bitch right now
This might've been posted recently, but: Haji Wright has 9 goals and 11 assists in 19 U-19 games (1,612 minutes). Another center forward, Florian Kruger, has 10 goals and 9 assists in 18 games (1,291 minutes). A right winger, Benjamin Goller, has 8 goals and 10 assists in 21 games (1,571 minutes). Looking at those stats, is it good that Kruger has so many goals and assists in so few minutes, or is it better that Wright gets significantly more minutes? Then again, Wright has played on both wings, too. Maybe that versatility keeps him on the field more.
I don't think it is bad or surprising that another young talent is performing well for their U-19's. It's not like there can only be one high production player at this level, especially considering Schalke's U-19 teams dominance this year. I want our guys to play with talented players at every level, high-level competition is key for growth and development.
Kruger is primarily a CF. Haji plays on the wings a lot. Goller is a winger who's had a surprise season, but from what I've read, he's badly out of form right now. And Schalke fans always remark that they think he'll be a better pro than academy player. They say he puts in some dominant match winning performances, but then might have a few games where he's not as good. They think a more challenging environment will bring more of out him. As I've long said, he's dominant in the middle. Playing on the wing, he's not at his best, can stop the ball, over dribble, and he's not the type you want wasting energy on defense. Notice the different answers from Wright, McKennie and Taitague to their goals. Haji said he wanted to get as many first team games and trainings in as possible. Nick said he's concentrated on the U-19's, Weston said a mix of those two. He's pro ready, too athletically dominant against kids. Its kind of a waste at this point to play him against academy players. Whether its with Schalke or out on loan, he needs to be playing pro soccer next season.
Schalke U-19 won 3-1. All three Americans started. Wright scored the last goal, and played 90. Taitague played 53. McKennie played 90, and from what I have found, he may have had the assist on the first goal.
Thanks for all the updates on our Schalke prospects. Good to see him back in action after the injury. He seems to get on the scoresheet a lot. Given that he has good athleticism for the next level, I'm really looking forward to him getting more shots with first team in the coming year.
Would be a shame if he doesn't make the U20 WC. Another game, another @HajiWright goal! He finished off the U19s' 3-1 win against Viktoria Köln with this strike. Keep 'em coming! #S04US pic.twitter.com/JaUJiLO4fy— Schalke 04 USA🇺🇸 (@s04_us) April 3, 2017
What a finish that is. The kid seems to be a proficient finisher with both feet, and has the ability to beat players 1v1 whenever I've seen him at Schalke.
He's a prolific finisher with both feet. I read an article not too long ago where teams were trying to force him right because they thought his strong foot was his left foot, not knowing his right was his strong foot. He's so good with both feet that they just couldn't figure out what his strong foot is. Its no coincidence that wherever he's played, he's scored goals. He can score them in every which way. I wish teams would stop playing him on the wings. He's a CF. His dribbling, playmaking, soccer IQ is fine, its just not elite. His goal scoring, pace, size and athleticism is elite though, and thats why he needs to be playing centrally.
The American Aubameyang. Love it. Burgstaller is scoring goals for Schalke...and Embolo will be a lock starter when he's healthy wth the amount of money they paid for him. Perhaps a loan for Haji next year? Not sure he'll get much opportunity next year, especially with Schalke not likely to be playing in Europa league.
Yeah, I think a loan, which isn't bad. Maybe they keep him around though, I don't know. I'm hoping they make the Europa League because I want them to have more fixtures, which ups the chances the three Americans get playing time next season.
He has an ankle injury. I don't know whether he'll play on Sunday, but thats listed on the injury report. I assume thats the injury he had a few weeks back when he couldn't play in the first team game, although he did play last weekend, so maybe its not that bad. http://knappenschmiede.schalke04.de/de/aktuell/170407_u19_vor_koeln/page/2787--6-6-.html
It was just a rhetorical question but thanks for the response...sometimes, "gotta let that fool loose deep inside your soul". Haji is a good young footballer let's hope he continues smoothly in his progress to the top!