Schalke’s Marius Bülter: A Player in High Demand
Marius Bülter, the 29-year-old left winger of Schalke, is the club’s current shining star. With four goals in the last four games and a total of seven goals this season, his performance is unparalleled. He has also replaced promotion icon Simon Terodde as the face of the club.
Future Uncertainty
Due to his contract with the royal blue until 2024, there is much speculation about his future in Gelsenkirchen. BILD explains the two most likely scenarios.
Option 1: New Contract
If coach Thomas Reis and his team stay in the league, it is likely that Bülter will receive an early extension of his contract. This way, Sports director Peter Knäbel can keep the pace and goal risk in the squad in the long term without having to pay dearly for it on the transfer market.
Bülter would also benefit from an extension. As a rescue hero, he has earned more respect in the cabin and curve, and could potentially receive a small salary increase. However, with Schalke’s financial instability due to €180 million in debt and nearly €110 million in negative equity, Bülter could also be sold for some much-needed cash.
Option 2: Forced Relegation
If Schalke is relegated, Bülter could potentially leave the club for a higher performing team. However, his technical weaknesses may hinder his chances for a new team in the top tier of the Bundesliga. Nevertheless, he is still valuable to teams in the lower half of the table, as he provides excellent value for money.
If Schalke is to have any chance of survival, they will need Bülter to continue his impressive performance. He played a critical role in earning Schalke the last eight points, almost single-handedly scoring vital goals against tough opponents like Stuttgart, Dortmund, and Augsburg.
Given his impressive record, and the shortage of healthy wing competitors, Reis will definitely have to protect Bülter, who is instrumental in Schalke’s quest for survival.
