As Newcastle transfers go, Nabil Bentaleb was more Henri Saivet than Rob Lee.
The midfielder joined the Magpies last January on loan, looking to bolster Steve Bruce’s midfield.
Unfortunately for all parties, that didn’t quite happen.
Bentaleb severely struggled in black and white, and unsurprisingly wasn’t asked back.
The former Spurs player ended his time at Newcastle with 15 appearances, zero goals, zero assists, and too many slack passes to count.
After a torrid time in the north east, things haven’t improved back in Germany for Bentaleb.
Relegation looming for Bentaleb?
The 26-year-old is back at Schalke, where things are going worse than they were at Newcastle.
The Royal Blues sit rock bottom of the Bundesliga. After 20 games, Schalke only have eight points.
Bentaleb started the season in the starting XI, playing the full 90 minutes as Schalke kicked off with an 8-0 drubbing off Bayern Munich.
The Algerian international featured in all but one of Schalke’s opening eight games. However, he hasn’t even been in the matchday squad for the previous 14, including two cup outings.
According to Bild, Bentaleb was removed from the squad in November by the club’s sporting director. Schalke tried to get rid of him during the January window, but to no avail.
After keeping himself fit, Bentaleb is now reportedly returning to training, and could re-join the matchday squad.
However, it seems highly unlikely that Bentaleb’s return will lead to a survival mission in Gelsenkirchen.
He is out of contract in the summer, seemingly destined to become a free agent.
Things were bad at Newcastle for Bentaleb, but that’s nothing compared to what has happened this season.
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