Klaas-Jan Huntelaar: I want to stay at Schalke

Despite his side finishing 14th in the Bundesliga this season, the Netherlands international insists he sees his future with the Champions League semi-finalistsEXCLUSIVE
By Francois Duchateau (translated by Gary Niblock)

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has told Goal.com in an exclusive interview that he plans to stay at Schalke despite a difficult first season in which he has suffered from both injuries and a loss of form after an encouraging start.

Highs and lows

The Dutchman got off to an excellent start and took to life in Gelsenkirchen like a duck to water in his first few weeks. However, as with everything else associated with Schalke over the course of this season, there were hiccups from the summer signing, who made the move from AC Milan. The goals began to dry up and then he began to be plagued with injuries.

Brought on after 30 minutes
Ralf Rangnick was not prepared to take a risk with Huntelaar and left the striker on the bench against Koln. After just 30 minutes, the coach known as "the Professor" tore up his plans and brought on Huntelaar and Julian Draxler in place of Alexander Baumjohann and Edu. Despite those changes, Schalke could not manage to defeat Koln, who triumphed 2-1.

A future at Schalke
Despite ending the Bundesliga season in a disappointing 14th place, Huntelaar does not want to leave his team in the summer.

"Quite simply, I see my future here at Schalke. I respect my contract, which still has two years to run. And I have thought about no-one else except Schalke,"