Who is Patrik Schick?

Data correct as of 21 December 2024

Patrik Schick

Age: 28
Club: Bayer Leverkusen
Position: Forward
Country: Czech Republic (42 caps, 20 goals)

Key stats

Schick had the world at his feet after scoring 24 goals in 27 Bundesliga games during the 2021/22 term, but the next 18 months were a nightmare. The Czech missed more than 50 matches across all competitions, ending 2022/23 with just three goals in 23 appearances across all competitions, and his injuries issues continued to plague him at the start of 2023/24.

However, after recovering from the adductor problems that had kept him out for so long as well as a calf injury, he returned to play a key role in keeping Leverkusen's unbeaten run alive. Amongst the 13 goals he ended the campaign with was a hat-trick in a 4-0 victory over Bochum and a trio of crucial last-gasp goals against Qarabağ - two of which came in the stoppage time of the second leg as Leverkusen came from 2-1 down to triumph 3-2 and progress in the UEFA Europa League round of 16.

His efforts were crucial in Leverkusen securing a first Bundesliga title in their history, to go with DFB Cup glory and a run to the final of the Europa League. Schick's performances in the absence of the injured Victor Boniface were particularly critical to Leverkusen's success. 

Schick has continued to impress in his fifth season at Leverkusen. Being deployed as Die Werkself's first-choice striker following Boniface's hamstring injury sustained in November 2024, the Czech has once again stepped up for his side. He's the club's top scorer in the Bundesliga with nine goals in 12 appearances, of which he has started only five. That's a goal every 84 minutes, on average. He notably put four past Freiburg on Matchday 15, having already hit a perfect hat-trick against Heidenheim.

Watch: Schick scores four as Leverkusen beat Freiburg 5-1

All of this has made for remarkable redemption for a man who has suffered a series of setbacks since starting out at Sparta Prague at just 11, although it was eight goals in 27 top-flight outings for cross-town rivals Bohemians that convinced Sampdoria to sign him in summer 2016.

After Schick netted 11 in 32 Serie A matches, Juventus came calling in summer 2017 and he was impressing for the Czech Republic at the U21 Euros in Poland. However, following two failed medicals at Juve later, he quickly became 'damaged goods'. Concerns over a potential heart problem were soon dispelled though, and Roma signed him on loan for the 2017/18 campaign. The move was made permanent in a big-money deal the year later, with eight goals in 58 appearances enough to sway the Romans.

RB Leipzig then made their move in 2019, and presented the 6’2’’ striker with a chance to flourish in the Bundesliga. After an Achilles problem made his start to life at the Red Bull Arena difficult, the Czech Republic international quickly bounced into life. His superb spin and strike against Paderborn started a rash of three goals in four league appearances, including coming off the bench to complete the comeback against Borussia Dortmund in the Matchday 16 epic.

He hit double figures for the first time since his Sampdoria days, with 10 goals in 22 Bundesliga games, but his stay in Leipzig lasted only a year before Leverkusen snapped him up from Roma on a five-year deal. After a solid first campaign, Schick burst into life in his second, finishing only behind Robert Lewandowski (35) in the Bundesliga's goalscoring charts. That term came after a fantastic summer at the rescheduled 2020 Euros. He tied Cristiano Ronaldo on a joint-leading five goals, whilst hitting the Goal of the Tournament winner from 49.7 yards - the furthest goal ever recorded at the European Championships - in a group game against Scotland. The strike was also nominated for the Puskas award, ultimately finishing third.

Plays a bit like: Jan Koller

The 6'6" Czech giant was a 2001/02 Bundesliga winner in a five-year spell at Dortmund during which he wreaked havoc, though not only with his nightclub bouncer physique. He started at Sparta too, but repeatedly showed that those who pigeonholed him as a one-dimensional target man were far wider of the mark than he often was. He was hugely adept with his feet - just like his young compatriot - and the 6'2" Schick shares the game intelligence that means he offers so much more than a physical presence in attack. Just ask the Scots after his brace with a header in the box and a lob from the middle of the pitch.

Did you know?

"Edin Dzeko told me that going to Leipzig would be a good decision," Schick said of his former Roma teammate, who won the Bundesliga title as part of Wolfsburg's swashbuckling 2008/09 side. Dzeko was one of the reasons Schick's giallorossi experience was so disappointing, but though competition for places between them was fierce, their relationship off the pitch was anything but.

"Both of us want to play, so a certain rivalry exists between us because only one striker gets to play," explained Schick, who was delighted Dzeko had retained something from the early days of his career while at Czech club Teplice. "We're very good friends because he speaks my language."

Watch: The Best Of Patrik Schick in 2023/24

What they're saying

"For me, Patrik Schick is currently one of the best centre-forwards in the world." - Outgoing Leverkusen CEO Rudi Völler following Schick's contract extension in May 2022

"I think he had to fight a bit at the start, but he worked well, improved a lot in a number of areas and took a step forward. Patrik works a lot for the team and always played with very high intensity. He’s laid the physical foundations this season to really attack next season. There’s a lot more in him than he’s shown so far with us." - Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes

"I remember a really great player. He has talent and knows how to play. At Samp, he did some really great things." - ex-Sampdoria boss Marco Giampaolo

"He has the goalscoring gene in his blood. You could see that, he was there straight away. He will become a very, very important player this season." Rolfes following Schick's goal against Häcken in the Europa League, his first in 274 days