David Lelle, centre-back of the FC Schalke U23, was allowed to present himself to the professionals on Wednesday.

Wednesday’s training session was particularly important for FC Schalke 04 coach Frank Kramer. He wanted to play eleven against eleven in order to practise the strategy for the difficult away match at Bayer Leverkusen (Saturday, 15.30/Sky). To complete the team, Kramer resorted to a player from the U23. This time, David Lelle was part of the line-up.

At first glance, Kramer’s choice comes as something of a surprise. Lelle, who came from RB Leipzig’s U19 team in the summer, has only played three times for the U23s in the Regionalliga West. He was a substitute on each occasion. Five times he was part of the squad, but remained on the bench for 90 minutes.

Schalke 04: Only two of seven centre-backs are left

And yet, Lelles nomination makes sense – because he plays at the centre-back position. Schalke had gone into the preparation with seven centre-backs. Due to injuries to Sepp van den Berg (ankle), Marcin Kaminski (calf) and Ibrahima Cissé (thigh) and the transfers of Malick Thiaw (AC Milan) and Ozan Kabak (TSG Hoffenheim), only two are still available: Leo Greiml and Maya Yoshida.

Lelles’ short-lived promotion is further proof that professionals and the Knappenschmiede cooperate closely. Goalkeeper Justin Heekeren, Ibrahima Cissé, Leo Greiml, Mehmet Can Aydin, Kerim Calhanoglu and Sidi Sané have already played for the U23s. “Playing practice brings self-confidence. You don’t want the understanding to develop: Oh, now you have to go down. The players say themselves: Before I play less, I’ll go down myself,” said Schalke’s sports director Rouven Schröder.

Conversely, Daniel Kyerewaa, Verthomy Boboy, Grace Bokake and Soichiro Kozuki from the U23s played for the professionals in the 3-0 test match victory in Gütersloh three weeks ago. U23 substitutes Elias Kurt and Niklas Castelle each scored a goal for Schalke in their 14-0 preparation win against VfB Hüls. Goalkeepers Radomir Novakovic (U23) and Luca Podlech (U19) were given a taste of professional life during training sessions with goalkeeper coach Simon Henzler. In the promotion season, strikers Rufat Dadashov (U23) and Keke Topp (U19) had already helped out “upstairs” when there was a shortage of personnel.

Frank Kramer does not personally take care of contact with the Knappenschmiede. The talents are especially close to the heart of co-trainer Mike Büskens.