After an incredible unbeaten season in 2023/24 and a strong second-place finish last season, Bayer Leverkusen is facing a major transition. The club has seen several of its most important players leave this summer, creating a new challenge for the upcoming season. However, the team has secured its star striker, Patrik Schick, with a new long-term contract, signaling that he will be the central figure in their future plans.
👋 A Summer of Big Goodbyes
Leverkusen has said farewell to three of its biggest stars: Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong have both moved to Liverpool, while key midfielder Granit Xhaka has joined Sunderland. These players were essential to the team’s “Invincibles” season and their recent success, contributing many goals and assists. Their departure marks the end of an era and leaves big shoes to fill in the squad, especially since the new manager, Erik ten Hag, had publicly stated he wanted Xhaka to stay.
🎯 Schick Becomes the Main Man
With so many key attackers gone, the spotlight now shines brightly on Patrik Schick. The 29-year-old Czech striker recently signed a new contract until 2030, making him the team’s highest-paid player and a clear leader. Schick has been a reliable goalscorer, netting 81 goals since joining the club, which is far more than any other player in that period. He was often the hero during the unbeaten season, scoring crucial late goals, and now the team will depend on him more than ever.
🧩 A New Puzzle for the Coach
This new situation presents a puzzle for manager Erik ten Hag. The team has lost the creativity of Wirtz and Frimpong, who together provided 78 assists, and the steady passing of Xhaka, who had the best passing accuracy in the team. Schick’s game is focused on scoring goals, not on passing. This means the team’s strategy must change. The challenge for ten Hag is to build a new system that can consistently provide Schick with scoring opportunities.
⚽️ Playing to Their Strengths
The path forward for Leverkusen seems clear: they must build their attack around Patrik Schick. A tough 5-1 loss to Flamengo’s U20 side in a pre-season game served as a wake-up call that the team needs to find its focus quickly. For Schick to be effective, he needs good service from his teammates. The success of Leverkusen’s season will likely depend on how well the midfielders and wingers can adapt to their new role of supporting their main striker. The responsibility is now on the whole team to play to their biggest strength—Patrik Schick.
