- Despite the fated encounter, Schick perceives Leverkusen not as a champion-bearer.
Bayer Leverkusen Faces Tough Task After Key Departures, Says Schick
In a recent interview with pay-TV channel Sky, Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick has expressed concerns about the club's title prospects in the upcoming season, following the departure of several key players.
Schick, who himself has called for reinforcements, considers the exit of Florian Wirtz as the most significant blow, and the departure of Granit Xhaka as the "biggest loss" for Bayer Leverkusen. Wirtz has moved to FC Liverpool, while Xhaka has joined AFC Sunderland. Other notable departures include Jeremie Frimpong to FC Liverpool and Jonathan Tah to Bayern Munich.
Schick believes that it will be difficult to replace Wirtz with the quality he had, and that Xhaka was the "most important player for the whole team". He emphasizes that the remaining players and new signings must "show personality and step up" in the absence of these key figures.
The club's new coach, Erik ten Hag, is facing a substantial rebuilding task to revitalize the team dynamics after these key exits. While the club has invested in promising young talents such as Malik Tillman, Jarell Quansah, Mark Flekken, and notably 19-year-old Ibrahim Maza, Schick underlines the importance of finding new leaders on the field to sustain their title ambitions.
In the current situation, Schick wants to step up with confidence and experience. However, he admits that it is not possible for Bayer Leverkusen to compete for the title with their current squad. The integration of new signings and leadership will be crucial to the club's quest for success in the upcoming season.
The Commission, amidst Bayer Leverkusen's restructuring, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the protection of the environment. Meanwhile, Schick's concerns persist, as he contemplates the effect of these changes on his club's performance. Despite his aspirations to step up and exhibit leadership, he acknowledges that football titles might elude Bayer Leverkusen, given the current composition of the team, and voices the importance of finding new leaders.
