Veteran midfielder Jermaine Jones has said Champions League side Schalke 04 must aim to disrupt Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund's domination of the Bundesliga this season.
Apart from Bayern and Borussia, VfL Wolfsburg were the last team to win the German league title back in 2009, but the Royal Blues of Schalke aim to break up the monopoly this season.
"Our aim should be to play for the German title. Part of football is having high ambitions and not having any fear that it won't work out," the 31-year-old US midfielder told German magazine Kicker.
With Pep Guardiola having taken charge of Bayern, the first German team to win the treble of European, league and cup titles last season, the Bavarian giants are clear favourites to retain the league title, something which inspires Jones.
"It's great when everyone sees see it that way before the season starts," he said.
"There is nothing better than to chase the team who are where you want to be."
Having finished fourth in the Bundesliga last season behind Bayern, Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen, Schalke face a play-off in August to qualify for the Champions League draw and have been proactive on the transfer market.
Promising Hungary striker Adam Szalai has been signed from Mainz, Germany Under-19 midfielder Leon Goretzka has come from VfL Bochum and Brazilian centre-back Felipe Santana has joined from rivals Dortmund.
Schalke open their Bundesliga season against Hamburg on Sunday August 11.
Source: AFP
