Release The Knappen
Fansided

FC Schalke 04: Could Mark Uth be loaned out this winter?

By Kevin Parvizi

BIELEFELD, GERMANY - OCTOBER 29: Mark Uth of Schalke controls the ball during the DFB Cup second round match between Arminia Bielefeld and FC Schalke 04 at Schueco Arena on October 29, 2019 in Bielefeld, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
BIELEFELD, GERMANY - OCTOBER 29: Mark Uth of Schalke controls the ball during the DFB Cup second round match between Arminia Bielefeld and FC Schalke 04 at Schueco Arena on October 29, 2019 in Bielefeld, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

FC Schalke 04 striker Mark Uth has struggled to make his mark on the team in his one-and-half seasons in Gelsenkirchen, but could a loan move help the German forward find his form?

Mark Uth used to be one of the best forwards in the Bundesliga at Hoffenheim. Seeing this promise, FC Schalke 04 signed him from Hoffenheim before the 2018-2019 season.

Uth was among the players who struggled in Domenico Tedesco’s disastrous final campaign with Schalke, so there was hope he’d rebound in 2019-2020 under David Wagner. But Uth’s struggles in front of goal haven’t ceased, as he’s been one of the few talented players to not progress under Wagner.

According to Express.de, via BuLiNews.com, FC Köln have shown interest in acquiring Uth on a loan deal this winter.

Schalke themselves have signed Michael Gregoritsch from Augsburg on loan and had shown interest in acquiring forward help this winter, even dreaming of a potential loan deal with Real Madrid’s Mariano Diaz.

Likewise, Köln would like some more attacking help for the second half of the 2019-2020 campaign as they sit in 15th in the table, just two points ahead of rivals Fortuna Dusseldorf in the relegation battle.

Uth has not scored or assisted in four starts and four substitute appearances this Bundesliga season, and he’s even missed clear-cut chances. The German striker has been Schalke’s worst-performing player this season, which is a far cry from the form he showed at Hoffenheim.

But there’s hope Uth can turn it around in the second half of the campaign. He has the talent to be a quality goal-scrorer in this league, as he’s shown in the past, and his struggles this year may be due to adductor issues. Uth is taking time off to heal, and if he returns to 100-percent health in 2020, he could close out the season strongly.

Next. Markus Schubert should start for the rest of the season. dark

A change of scenery could do Uth good, too, and being a focal point of Köln’s attack may serve him well. It’s unclear if Schalke are wiling to loan him out, but after acquiring Gregoritsch and watching Ahmed Kutucu shine late in games, they should be able to part ways with him for a few months. After all, they already have a veteran striker who isn’t scoring goals in Guido Burgstaller, but Burgstaller’s link-up play is vastly superior to Uth’s right now.

If Köln are indeed interested in taking Uth on a loan deal, then Schalke shouldn’t really stand in their way. Benito Raman and Kutucu are the clear starters, and Rabbi Matondo has plenty of talent. Gregoritsch can do some damage, and Burgstaller has his place. Those are five forwards who are playing better football than Uth, but if a loan spell with another club does the 28-year-old well, then it’ll be a positive deal for all parties involved.