Benedikt Howedes snubbed Premier League advances during the summer despite Schalke’s failure to qualify for the Champions League at the end of last season but intriguingly suggested he’d be open to joining Liverpool upon Jurgen Klopp’s appointment earlier this month.
Louis van Gaal likes his multipurpose footballers and the Miners skipper certainly falls into that category, primarily considered a centre-back at club level but showing his versatility as Germany’s left-back during their 2014 World Cup campaign.
He’s physically intimidating, versatile, decent on the ball, experienced in the Champions League and a natural leader, wearing Schalke’s armband since 2011.
But if there’s one criticism to be made of the 27 year-old, it’s that his performance levels have dropped somewhat since Brazil 2014.