How Schalke Can Recover from Kevin-Prince Boateng, Sidney Sam Controversy

Schalke's 2-0 defeat to Cologne last weekend was a cataclysmic event for the club, and the chiefs at the Ruhr side took drastic measures the following day as they suspended Sidney Sam and Kevin-Prince Boateng indefinitely (via the club's official website) and dismissed Marco Hoger from training until this Sunday.

The exact events that precipitated the club's action remain uncertain but are not entirely surprising, with Boateng in particular making headlines earlier this season for appearing to put in the bare minimum of effort in exchange for his paycheck. Schalke slipped from a standing of contenders for an automatic Champions League spot to a position where they are now struggling to hold onto a spot in the Europa League.

Roberto Di Matteo's men famously beat Real Madrid 4-3 at the Santiago Bernabeu and narrowly missed out on eliminating the holders from the Champions League, but have left plenty to be desired in the Bundesliga, where they've won just two of their last 12 games. Such collapses have, sadly, become typical of Schalke. And the Knappen face turbulent times ahead.

A lack of Champions League money will mean a massive revenue decrease. Schalke received €23.72 million in prize money alone last season, per UEFA, and Europa League awards (which are by no means a guarantee at this point) are a pittance by comparison.

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

Add in Schalke's heavy reliance upon sponsors Gazprom, who are facing a revenue squeeze due to the weak ruble, low oil prices and western sanctions for Russian intervention in Ukraine, and cash could soon be quite scarce at the Gelsenkirchen side.

Schalke's financial situation is especially problematic given that Klaas-Jan Huntelaar turns 32 in August, and reinforcements at right-back and in central midfield are needed. A possible severance package for Di Matteo would also be costly, and although the club's board has remained patient until now, their faith surely will wane sooner or later.

The good news for Schalke is that there is the opportunity to promote from within. Boasting what is by many accounts the best youth academy in Germany (and one of the very best in Europe), they have a wealth of options rising through the youth ranks. And a complete squad overhaul is not exactly necessary, given that Huntelaar is their only over-30 starter.

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Schalke has some incredible young talents at the moment. Meyer, Draxler, Goretzka, and that Sane kid who terrorized Madrid yesterday

— The Football Vault (@FootballVault1) March 11, 2015"

It's not an ideal circumstance for Schalke's youngsters to cut their teeth. Normally, there would not be so much pressure: They'd replace an injured starter or come off the bench as substitutes and gradually impose themselves. Now there is real pressure on youngsters like Leroy Sane, Max Meyer and Kaan Ayhan. They'll have to produce, or Schalke could be in real trouble. The club certainly cannot afford to miss out on more Champions League football without requiring a significant downsizing.

Still, Schalke's greatest assets are in their personnel (either for playing or sale value), and there are many options on their way. Meyer and Di Matteo haven't had the best working relationship, and that's what led to the trainer using Sane in the Real game. The 19-year-old stole the show, and in that match it was the club's youth, free of the burden of expectation, that excelled. There were three 19-year-olds who played (two as starters), and the bench at kick-off contained players aged 18, 19, 20, 20, 20, 26 and 35. That result was a glowing endorsement of Schalke's academy, and didn't even contain arguably its most prized asset of the last five years or so, the then-injured Julian Draxler.

For the remainder of the current season and into the next, there will be a heavy burden on Draxler, who will turn 22 in September. He spent almost the entire season injured, and it's hard to imagine any club paying the confirmed, via Der Westen (in German), €45 million fee that would force Schalke to sell him prior to June of 2018. On the other hand, he has enormous potential and is reaching an age at which performance is expected. He's proven himself in some big Champions League games in the past, but now he will have to make good on his potential on a regular basis.

Behind Draxler, expectations on Meyer, Sane and Felix Platte (all 19), are all a bit less considering their youth. Platte especially, as a young striker, won't be required to do very much in the immediate future, while attackers Meyer and Sane are not yet of an age at which they can realistically be relied upon for consistency. Still, given the opportunities that await, any could have a real breakthrough and carry the club.

In central midfield, Leon Goretzka is an enormous talent who, like Draxler, has spent most of the season injured. He's now 20, and Di Matteo seems to appreciate his broad skill set—the ex-Bochum man having started the last two games. Whether or not Schalke manage to sign Sami Khedira, they could begin next season with a classy figure in the center of midfield.

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

At the back, Matija Nastasic is the big-name signing for Schalke and has many years left. But the Knappen also have Sead Kolasinac, who is still just 21 and will be like a new signing next season, having missed almost the entire season with a torn cruciate ligament. Down the depth chart are rising talents Ayhan (20) and Marvin Friedrich (19), who like captain Benedikt Howedes have the typical technical training of Schalke defenders and can play in a wide range of positions.

The atmosphere in Gelsenkirchen is rather toxic at the moment, which is a danger for developing stars and could hinder their progress. At the same time, Schalke have a real gem in Donis Avdijaj, the 18-year-old supporting striker who is currently on loan at Sturm Graz. He has scored five goals and given three assists in just 730 minutes of play (per Transfermarkt) since moving to Austria.

He's a more direct player than Meyer and has explosive acceleration and shooting ability. His successful loan could be the beginning of a new chapter in Schalke policy as they try to avoid what could eventually become a talent bottleneck.

Clubs like Ajax and especially Porto have done remarkably well to develop footballers at little cost and sell them at enormous profit while consistently maintaining a place in the Champions League. Schalke may be at a low point now, but their fanbase and talent pool are enormous, and their ability to consistently produce top prospects is the asset that will keep them from falling into obscurity in the coming years.

Schalke may be down now, but certainly are not out.

@Mr_Bundesliga