On 19 November 2011, he captained Schalke 04 for the first time due to an injury of Höwedes in a 4-0 home win against FC Nürnberg, he also scored the 2-0 and assisted the 4-0 in that game.
On 19 November 2011, he captained Schalke 04 for the first time due to an injury of Benedikt Höwedes in a 4-0 home win against 1. FC Nuremberg, he also scored the 2-0 and assisted the 4-0 in that game.