Next year is going to be an interesting one for the Bundesliga. In some ways I feel that if Schalke, Leverkusen or Dortmund don't make the CL it will hurt the performance of the Bundesliga. Wolfsburg still lack experience as do Gladbach. They will also get horrible groups due to the seeding.
Bayern are perfect. For the next couple of years they are still perfect, but they will soon need to replace Schweinsteiger, Lahm, Robben and Ribery. It won't be easy, because those four have been the best in the world in their positions for some time. I guess they only need to replace Robben really, because Muller will move to the right, Gotze will come into the centre and they will need a world class dribbler on the left. Maybe Thiago if he ever gets fit can replace Schweinsteiger, but replacing Lahm looks almost impossible. Leadership is not too bad, because Alaba, Badstuber, Boateng and of course Muller/Neuer are fine.
Schalke are interesting, because they have so much potential. Di Matteo has played 3-5-2 a lot, but when he has a fit team I don't think that's the best formation. First and foremost they need to have a massive sale and clear out the dead wood. Matip, Howedes, Nastacic, Sane, Goretzka, Draxler, Meyer, Huntelaar and Choupo Moting should make up the future team. Sign some full backs and a defensive midfielder. Get rid of the likes of Boateng, Far-fan, Obasi and Uchida. Buy some decent full backs and a defensive midfielder.
A 4-2-3-1
Fahrmann
??---- Howedes(Kirchoff)---- Nastacic(Matip)---- ??
--------???(Hoger)-----Goretzka(Neudstater)
Sane(Sam)-----Meyer(Barnetta)---------Draxler
--------------------Huntelaar(Choupo-Moting)
That's a strong team and only needs three additions, which they can raise by getting rid of the dead wood. A very young team, but one that can really improve in the future. The trouble is keeping the those players especially if they don't make Europe. Draxler and Howedes have been making noises about wanting a move for some time.
Dortmund are just a mess though. Needs complete rebuilding and the only players worth keeping are Hummel, Reus, Bender, Gundogan, but they might not want to stay.If Gundogan does not sign then they should sell him. Klopp needs to think carefully and build a team with great partnerships.
If Hummels stays then to compliment him he needs a defender with lots of pace. Subotic and Sokratis are good enough, but Hummels works better with pace. Should sell one of the two to raise money.
At right back they Pisczek could rediscover his form, but they need a promising right back that can cross the ball.
At left back if they play Reus on the left they need someone that can overlap and cross the ball well. Someone like Rodriguez would be perfect, but of course that's impossible.
If Bender is going to play in midfield then you need someone who is brilliant passer alongside him like say Kroos, but again impossible.
In the middle they need a 10 who is creative.
On the right they need an orthodox winger who can beat a man and put crosses in.
Then they need a complete striker that can hold the ball up.
In the summer Subotic, Weidenfeller, Grosskreutz, Gundogan(if does not sign), Jojic, Kagawa, Mkhitaryan, Immobile and Ramos need all to be sold.
Bring back the likes of Hofmann and sign a new goalkeeper, a left back, a ball playing cental midfielder, a no 10 and an orthodox 7 as well as an old fashioned no 9. I am not sure Klopp has the ruthlessness to do that to the team.
