Moritz Jenz is ‘doing phenomenally’ since swapping Scottish Premiership champions Celtic for Schalke during the January transfer window, Bundesliga team-mate Ralf Fahrmann tells Schalke Total.
Well, it couldn’t go on forever.
Schalke, in their final game before Jenz’s arrival, shipped six goals during a humiliating defeat to RB Leipzig. The difference with and without the rangy Frenchman, then, was stark. Schalke, immediately after the 23-year-old’s arrival, went on a Bundesliga-record run of four consecutive 0-0 draws; Jenz helping transform the division’s most porous backline into it’s most watertight almost overnight.
That flurry of clean sheets came to an end on Saturday, however, as Borna Sosa found the net for Stuttgart the Veltins Arena. But no matter. Schalke were already 2-0 up by that point; a team who looked doomed only a few weeks ago now only three points adrift of safety.
Moritz Jenz a Schalke hero after Celtic exit
And Fahrmann, Schalke’s long-serving goalkeeper, is certainly finding life a lot easier these days with Jenz and Japanese veteran Maya Yoshida striking up a formidable partnership at the heart of Thomas Reis’ backline.
“Moritz Jenz is doing phenomenally,” says the former Norwich City loanee. “And Maya Yoshida throws himself in front of every shot. Our back six are very strong against the ball.
“Everyone in the team has contributed their share.”
Jenz surprisingly left Celtic five months ahead of schedule last month, departing following the arrival of another left-sided centre-half in Yuki Kobayashi. The Lorient-owned colossus quickly embarked upon another loan spell and, if he maintains his current form, a permanent contract could soon be coming his way.
Schalke, BILD say, will sign Jenz permanently for £3.5 million if they can climb out of the drop zone. By that point, Jenz will undoubtedly have repaid that investment with considerable interest.
“It was pure goosebumps,” Fahrmann beams, Schalke snatching three invaluable points from relegation rivals Stuttgart. “It felt good, and that’s why it was so emotional after the final whistle.
“In the games before that, we put in the same commitment on the pitch, gave everything, but couldn’t really reward ourselves. We’ve finally done it.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
