Future Open in Königsblau
© Imago
For Justin Heekeren, the season at FC Schalke 04 is unstable. Most of the time, the 24-year-old was the number one, but often had to make criticism of the public and was even temporarily withdrawn from the objective twice: in October for Ron-Tooln Hoffmann and at the end of February for Loris Karius. Since winter access is injured until the end of the season, Heekeren plays again, but again, does not always seem happy during the 2-1 victory against ULM. « Suddenly, you are again in the middle of the stadium, faster than expected. It is not a pleasant situation for me, » he was quoted by the « waz ».
« I try to help the team come back to the match flow, » said Heekeren. After a failed parade against an harmless goal attempt by Ulmers Oliver Batista Meier in the early stadiums, fans whispered in Schalke Veltins-Arena when he obtained the ball. « The fans have been biased, I notice it myself. I try not to get away from me and tear it away so that they say: Heekeren keeps us in the game. »
Being deleted as a goalkeeper is « always stupid ». Between Karius, whose expiring contract would be happy to extend the Schalke and return to the number one in the coming season, and Heekeren would not be « not evil blood, but it is not easy when the stadium celebrates the other goalkeeper ». He tried not to give the « buhmann » or « insulted » when Karius received preference. « It’s not my type. On the contrary, the team would be against me. (Site notre blog d’information) is fast, as you can see. Because I behaved so much, I have the support of the team. »
Heekeren’s future on Schalke Open: already « applied » in 2024
This was also underlined by coach Kees Van Wonder before the ULM game: « I told him about it. He confirms my photo that I have of him. Very calm, concentrated and talented. Confidence is there. He was never frustrated not to have any desire. I am happy that he can show himself. »
It is always open that it continues for Heekeren, whose contract takes place until 2026, in summer. « I still have six games, I hope I will stay without injury. Then we will see what will happen in summer, » he said, but stressed that he also accepted the challenge against Hoffmann the previous summer.