Huntelaar arrival triggers hope at Schalke

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39-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic might be a shining example; it's never too late in life to score goals. Despite his age, the Swede is still a thorn in the sides of Milan's opponents in the Italian Serie A.

In Germany, struggling FC Schalke 04 is pinning its hopes on avoiding relegation on 37-year-old Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. The Dutch striker is expected to don the Royal Blues shirt for the club's crucial match against fellow strugglers 1. FC Cologne this Wednesday evening.

Financial shortages have forced Schalke to come up with unusual solutions like low budget recalls for former players.

Defender Sead Kolasinac returned from Arsenal on loan. Sporting director Jochen Schneider is working on a deal with 35-year-old Rafinha, currently under contract at Olympiakos Piraeus in Greece. The Brazilian defender has an exit clause.

"It would be like heaven for us to get Klaas-Jan back," Schalke coach Christian Gross said.

On the pitch impact might be one thing, but the Swiss coach hopes the Dutchman's experience, charisma, and personality will help his insecure and unconfident team.

Hope and euphoria descended on Gelsenkirchen as the news of Huntelaar's arrival reached the club's supporters.

Monday evening reports spoke of a Lear jet arriving from the Netherlands and a dark shuttle service car having taken the new arrival to the club's headquarters to carry out the medical examination.

The former Dutch international is said to be joining Schalke on a free transfer until the end of the season.

Enthusiasm seems precisely the thing a desperate side like Schalke needs ahead of their game on home soil against relegation rivals Cologne.

Improvement was visible in Gross' first three games, but the 66-year-old only managed one win, 4-0 against TSG Hoffenheim. They lost the other two against Hertha (3-0) and Frankfurt (3-1).

Schalke dropped back to the bottom of the table. The game against Cologne is now basically do-or-die.

Huntelaar has to bear a massive load of expectations on his shoulders but seems determined facing the challenge. "He will create a positive mood around the club and for the team," Gross commented.

The Dutch striker spoke about Schalke as something dear to his heart as his former club is in serious difficulties.

The forward played for Schalke between 2010 and 2017 scoring 126 goals in all competitions. His record in the Bundesliga was an impressive 82 goals in 175 games.

Former Bayern coach Louis van Gaal once called him the best striker in the penalty box as he combines silky skills with an imposing physical presence.

Schalke will now have to increase its efforts along the flanks to supply its new arrival with suitable crosses.

"He seems in the best shape this season; he is at his best when we are looking back at the past three years. He looks a good as Zlatan in Milan," former Schalke striker and 1977 UEFA-CUP winner Youri Mulder said. 

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