USA international Weston McKennie: "I would be ready to be Schalke captain"
USA international Weston McKennie has thrown his hat into the ring to become Schalke's next captain.
New Schalke coach David Wagner is yet to name a permanent successor to goalkeeper Ralf Fährmann, who relinquished the armband when he left the club earlier this summer.
Although McKennie is still only 20, he captained the USA for the first time in their 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup final defeat to Mexico in July, and says he would relish a leadership role at Schalke.
"I'd be ready, I'm used to taking on responsibility," the Texan told Germany's leading sports specialist magazine, kicker. "Whether it's captain of vice-captain, of course I'd take it on.
"Benjamin Stambouli and Daniel Caligiuri would also do a fantastic job, and there are others as well. Whoever gets it will be ready."
McKennie, who joined Schalke from the FC Dallas academy in August 2016, is entering his third full season as a professional. He scored his first competitive goals at club level in last term's Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League, and has already made 56 first-team appearances in all competitions for the Royal Blues.
The nine-time USMNT international has been deployed at right-back, in the centre of defence and as a second striker in that time, but says his accustomed central midfield role is where he is most at home.
"I've already shown that I can play in almost every position," McKennie explained.
"If I play as a No.6 or a No.8, I'm central and have a complete grip on the game: what's behind me, in front of me and either side of me. I think that's where my qualities are put to best use."
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McKennie is currently away with Schalke at their pre-season training camp in Austria. Die Knappen, who finished 14th in the Bundesliga last season, face Spain's Villarreal and Turkish club Alanyaspor in a friendly double-header on 2 August, before returning to Germany the next day.
Wagner is expected to name his new captain in time for the DFB Cup first-round meeting with German minnows Drochtersen/Assel on 10 August, with Schalke kicking off their 2019/20 Bundesliga campaign away to Borussia Mönchengladbach a week later.
McKennie recently signed a new contract with Schalke tying him to the Gelsenkirchen club until 2024.
"I'd love to stay here forever," he said at the time.
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