Will Leverkusen be even stronger? Schick is back, he can play this weekend. My season is starting, he reports. But there’s a catch

Finally. The national team break is over, club football is back on the scene. Along with it, apparently, the Czech striker Patrik Schick. The Bayer Leverkusen star has been sick for a long time, but this weekend he could start a game for the first time since March. How is he looking forward to it?

Basically, one question. Where would he be if he wasn’t plagued by injuries? Patrik Schick has already shown the football world his quality and potential on more than one occasion. But health problems are holding him back.

Leverkusen know that. But when he was fully healthy, everything fell into place and he was given the confidence to chase such aces as Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski in the shooting gallery. He even humbled Nora in the 2021/22 season.

It was the 2021/22 season that was the most successful of the Czech striker’s career so far. He scored 24 goals in the Bundesliga, was the second top scorer in the competition and after the season there was talk of him possibly leaving for a bigger club.

However, Schick signed a new contract at Leverkusen and is still at the club. But he hasn’t followed up his season of his life. The next one ended horribly not only for him but also for his team. He hasn’t joined the current one yet.

the 27-year-old striker with experience from AS Roma and Leipzig has been out of action since March. He spent most of last season nursing a groin problem, underwent surgery in June and a lot has changed since then.

Has Schick lost his place?

Leverkusen have swung into incredible form under Xabi Alonso. Perhaps even beyond expectations, Victor Boniface has also caught on, coming in as the man to take Schick’s place.

Bayer acquired the Nigerian striker for €20 million from the Belgian league, now his value is double that. The reason? 10 competitive games, 9 goals, 3 assists. Somehow it gave Leverusen fans and players the opportunity to forget about the Czech striker.

After all, when the question of Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi came up at a press conference of Leverkusen, now the best team in Germany, goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky answered with the name Boniface.

Schick will not have an easy time returning to the lineup. Leverkusen are playing great. Adam Hložek also has to fight for a place and Matěj Kovář was added to the team over the summer.

My season is about to start, says the Czech striker

“I’m back in team training. It looks very good. I don’t have any pain like I did in the last months and last year. I’m very happy about it,” Patrik Schick let himself be heard in an interview with Bild.

He especially enjoys being able to train with his teammates. He has been training for a while, but only individually, which is not quite the same. Now he needs to get into shape as soon as possible to be able to keep up with his teammates, who are doing great.

“Our game looks good from the stands, but I want to finally be on the field. I couldn’t always be completely happy when I only had to watch. That’s over now. My season is about to start,” says the Sparta Prague alumnus with determination.

On Saturday, Leverkusen will take on Wolfsburg. Will Schick also be on the pitch? “It was our goal and it’s realistic,” he says hopefully. “The injury I went through is one of the hardest for footballers. I’m glad it’s all behind me and I can focus on the future and getting back,” he added.

His return is also great news for the national team. He has not played for the national team since September last year. Now he could be at key matches in the European Championship qualifiers, which Germany will host in 2024.

Source: Bild, Transfermarkt, Bayer Leverkusen