We’re a little over a quarter of a way through the season and the international break is a great time for teams to take stock of their seasons so far.
It also gives us the opportunity to run the rule over the players, particularly the new arrivals.
Here’s a look at the worst Bundesliga signings from this summer.
Click here for the best transfers.
SEBASTIAN RUDY
A transfer fee of €16 million for a seasoned professional who was well-decorated with Bayern Munich and Germany seemed like a small price to pay for Schalke.
Rudy Sebastian was expected to bring experience, tactical nous and stability to the midfield but has found himself warming the bench more often than not so far this season. He’s only started three Bundesliga games this term and made one appearance as a substitute.
The 28-year-old simply hasn’t made the impact Schalke hoped he would with coach Domenic Tedesco suggesting that the midfielder lacks fitness.
The team have scored just eight goals in 11 games and need Rudy to orchestrate their build-up play through the middle. So far, he’s let them down.
STAT ATTACK: Only 249 minutes of playing time out of a possible 990.
HAMZA MENDYL
Another sloppy Schalke signing means another headache for Tedesco. The coach has been left frustrated by Hamza Mendyl, the new recruit who arrived with so much promise.
The 21-year-old left-back signed from Lille and is considered to be one of the best young full-backs in Europe. However, Mendyl has proved to be rash or at the very least, overzealous.
The Moroccan has already picked up five yellow cards this season from only six Bundesliga appearances, leading the way for bookings. His impetuous challenges have forced Tedesco to substitute him regularly to avoid the risk of going down to 10 men.
Mendyl has been reckless defensively and hasn’t contributed in attack either. He only has a pass completion rate of 69.5 per cent and playing as a wingback, he’s only attempted 15 crosses, none of which were accurate.
STAT ATTACK: Booked once every 79.6 minutes in the league.
DANIEL GINCZEK
Wolfsburg decided to make Daniel Ginczek their most expensive signing this summer, parting with €14m for the centre-forward’s transfer from VFB Stuttgart.
The 27-year-old however has repaid that fee in more yellow cards (3) than goals (2) so far. In his defence, Ginczek has been played on the right of a front three but that doesn’t excuse his startling inability to hold on to the ball or find a team-mate.
The forward has lost the ball 25 times in 471 minutes this season and has pass completion rate of just 60.3 per cent.
To make Wolfsburg’s investment seem even worse, Ginczek suffered a major setback when he injured his knee against Hannover last week and could be sidelined for a while.
STAT ATTACK: Lost possession once every 18.8 minutes this season.
MARK UTH
Given their atrocious form this campaign that sees them struggle in 14th place, it’s no surprise that a third Schalke transfer finds his way onto this list.
Fresh of a prolific season with Hoffenheim in which he scored 17 Bundesliga goals, the 27-year-old striker made the switch to Schalke on a free transfer.
However, the Germany international could only find the target once in 702 minutes of league action for his new team this season before suffering a muscle strain and tendon injury last Sunday when Franfurt dispatched Schalke 3-0.
The club revealed that he is unlikely to feature again this year.
STAT ATTACK: Went nearly 17 hours without a goal for Schalke.
GONZALO CASTRO
After being deemed surplus to requirements at Dortmund, a move away from the Westfalenstadion was the right choice for Gonzalo Castro this summer.
At just €5 million, it seemed like a great choice for VFB Stuttgart as well. The seasoned Bundesliga veteran was meant to bring some much needed experience to the team and lead them on the pitch. Instead, Castro has proved to be a liability and Stuttgart have plummeted to the foot of the table.
The 31-year-old hasn’t been able to have the kind of influence expected of him in midfield and has been weak in the challenge, winning just 39 per cent of his duels in the league, significantly less than the team’s average of 51 per cent.
STAT ATTACK: 60.6 per cent of duels lost in Bundesliga this season.
