“That’s BIG loss because….”- Bayer Leverkusen star Patrik Schick Breaks Silence reveals what made new Sunderland signing ‘the most important’ star

“That’s BIG loss because….”- Bayer Leverkusen star Patrik Schick Breaks Silence reveals what made new Sunderland signing ‘the most important’ star

Patrick Schick: Xhaka’s Exit Is a Bigger Blow to Leverkusen Than Wirtz or Others

What Happened?
Bayer Leverkusen have suffered a major setback this summer, losing four key players who played crucial roles in their recent success.

Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka, Jonathan Tah, and Jeremie Frimpong have all departed following the club’s Bundesliga-winning 2023–24 season. While Wirtz, Frimpong, and Tah moved to Premier League clubs, Xhaka made the switch to rivals Bayern Munich.

Despite acknowledging Wirtz’s individual brilliance, striker Patrick Schick believes it’s Xhaka’s leadership and experience that the team will miss the most.

What Schick Said
In an interview with Sky Sport, Schick said:
“Some of our most important players have left: Jeremie, Florian, Jonathan, and now Granit.

That obviously hurts. We hope to bring in some strong replacements because right now, we’re not in a position to fight for the title.

“As a striker, Florian Wirtz was hugely important to me. He created so many chances and gave me great passes.

Losing him is a huge blow — you can’t really replace a player like that. The team will have to step up collectively to fill that gap.

“But in terms of the entire team, Granit Xhaka’s departure is the biggest loss. He was our leader, the most experienced player, and a key figure on and off the pitch.

A lot worked well because of him. Now it’s up to the rest of us — both the new signings and those of us who stayed — to show character and step up in his absence.”

The Bigger Picture
Wirtz had a standout season, recording 16 goals and 15 assists across all competitions and was widely seen as the star of the squad.

His departure was anticipated, but Leverkusen had hoped to keep hold of Xhaka, who initially showed interest in joining AC Milan. Despite coach Erik ten Hag’s insistence that he wasn’t for sale, the Swiss midfielder finalized a move to Sunderland earlier this week.

What’s Next for Leverkusen?
Under new manager Erik ten Hag, Leverkusen are entering a rebuilding phase. New arrivals include Mark Flekken, Ibrahim Maza, Jarell Quansah, Malik Tillman, and Christian Kofane.

Despite the major shake-up, the club will aim to remain competitive in the Bundesliga and challenge Bayern Munich for the title once again.