Why Patrik Schick Needs to Step Up for Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen's new season will heavily rely on Patrik Schick after losing key players like Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Granit Xhaka. Schick's goalscoring ability will be crucial for the team's success.
“With Patrik Schick’s commitment, we haven’t just convinced one of Europe’s most clinical strikers of our project...”
Patrik Schick's Potential Role
Bayer Leverkusen's impressive second-place finish in the Bundesliga last season was a notable achievement, despite trailing Bayern Munich by 13 points. The team's attacking prowess was evident, with 72 goals scored, second only to the champions.
Leverkusen's Defensive Solidity
Leverkusen's defensive performance was also commendable, conceding just 43 goals in 34 matches, only two more than St Pauli's league-best 41. This solidity will likely be crucial in their upcoming season.
Bayer Leverkusen's chances of surpassing their previous season's performance under Xabi Alonso seemed unlikely. However, their historic unbeaten league campaign in 2023/24 will be remembered for years to come.
Players like Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Granit Xhaka will be etched in German football history as part of Leverkusen's remarkable “Invincibles” team, a testament to their incredible achievement.
The Werkself story continues for Patrik Schick! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/NepJe8w5SH
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) August 4, 2025
Departure of Key Players
Bayer Leverkusen's star players have moved on, with Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong joining Liverpool, and Granit Xhaka signing with Sunderland, leaving the team with significant gaps to fill.
Leverkusen's new manager, Erik ten Hag, had insisted that Granit Xhaka wouldn't depart this summer. He stated: “His agent can say anything, but this club has already lost three important players.”
Granit Xhaka in red and white 😍 pic.twitter.com/54tu4sqyo6
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) August 2, 2025
“We won't let any more players go, that's not possible. That would neglect the structure and also the culture of the squad. It's clear - Granit is a leader, he has signed here for five years and has three years left on his contract. He's too important for us to let him go.”
Granit Xhaka's departure has left Erik ten Hag facing a challenge before the 2025/26 season even begins, despite the coach's earlier warnings against losing the player.
Ten Hag's Challenge Ahead
Erik ten Hag will be keen to restore his reputation after a tough spell at Manchester United. However, losing key players like Granit Xhaka will make his task more difficult. Fortunately, he can rely on Patrik Schick to make an impact.
Patrik Schick has signed a new deal with Bayer Leverkusen, extending his contract until 2030. This lucrative agreement makes him the highest-paid player in the squad and the largest contract ever signed by a Czech footballer.
Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes said: “With Patrik Schick’s commitment, we haven’t just convinced one of Europe’s most clinical strikers of our project. This contract extension also secures us a leadership figure for our team, with whom we aim to pursue the highest goals in the coming years.” The club's delight is understandable given Schick's importance to the team.
Patrik Schick has been a key player for Bayer Leverkusen, notably saving the team's unbeaten record with crucial injury-time goals. Since joining in 2020/21, he's scored 81 goals in all competitions.
Patrik Schick's Radar Graphic for the Bundesliga 2024/25 season (Opta by Stats Perform)Patrik Schick's 81 goals since joining Leverkusen in 2020/21 dwarf those of his closest rival, Florian Wirtz, who scored 56 goals in the same period - 25 fewer than Schick.
Meanwhile, Jeremie Frimpong chipped in with 30 goals, and both he and Wirtz combined for 78 assists in all competitions, highlighting the significant challenge Erik ten Hag faces in replacing their contributions.
Xhaka's Passing Legacy
Leverkusen will miss Granit Xhaka's exceptional passing ability. Under Xabi Alonso, the team played on the front foot, passing opponents off the pitch. Xhaka led the way with a 91.4% passing accuracy, completing 6,360 passes out of 6,957 attempts.
In contrast, Patrik Schick's pass completion rate stands at 74.7%, the lowest in the squad. However, his role has never required him to be a precise passer. Instead, his focus is on being the target man and finishing chances. With several attacking teammates departing, the goalscoring burden on Schick will be even greater.
Granit Xhaka's Pass Map in the Bundesliga 2024/25 season (Opta by Stats Perform)Feeding Schick
Patrik Schick has consistently shown he can handle the weight of responsibility. Now, it's up to Erik ten Hag to ensure the team's wide men and midfielders feed Schick as often as possible to maximize his goalscoring potential.
Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong hit the woodwork 21 times in recent domestic seasons and combined for 56 fast breaks, the most in the squad. With their departure, others will need to step up their game, although Alex Grimaldo's attacking contributions will still be valuable.
A Rocky Start
Erik ten Hag's tenure got off to a rough start, with a 5-1 loss to Flamengo's U20 side in his first pre-season game. This serves as a warning that the team needs to play to their strengths, particularly by involving Patrik Schick as much as possible.
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