Centre-back giant Jonathan Tah is replaced by 22-year-old Jarell Quansah. Florian Wirtz is replaced by American Malik Tilman. Bayer Leverkusen supporters are seeing one after another of the key players behind the success of the last two seasons disappear before the start of the season. Tah, Wirtz, Frimpong – and on Wednesday also Granit Xhaka. Leverkusen striker Patrick Schick has been linked with Premier League clubs for several rounds, but is one of the few key players left with Erik ten Hag. Now the Czech striker sends a little warning before the start of the season.
Because it was Xhaka’s move to Sunderland that will cost the Leverkusen game the most, Schick believes.
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-We cannot replace Florian Wirtz. His qualities are very hard to find. We have to find another way to replace him. Of course there is a problem, but that’s the way it is. But Granit Xhaka was the most important player for the whole team, and he is also gone now,” Schick begins to German Sky Sports.
“He was a leader. He was the most experienced player, and he was important for the whole team. A lot of things worked out well with him, I think that’s the biggest loss,” says Patrick Schick.
For Erik ten Hag, this means building a new team without the biggest stars and without leader Xhaka on the pitch. At the same time, there are expectations from the supporters to continue fighting for the Bundesliga title and assert themselves in the Champions League. The former Manchester United manager could have a tough first few months if the young squad doesn’t deliver from the start. We sense Patrick Schick is a little worried.
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