Bayern Leverkusen sporting director believes that Schick is in the world-class category of footballers.
Follow Us
Bayern Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller has spoken highly of their star and Czech forward Patrik Schick for his commitment to the game. Schick is currently second in the Bundesliga 2021-22 scoring charts with 18 goals in 17 appearances. He is only behind Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski (23 goals in 20 starts) while Borussia Dortmund No.9 Erling Haaland (16 goals in 14 games) remains at the third spot. His talismanic prowess has made Voller believe that the Czech footballer is world-class besides being good with his header, pace and at holding up the ball well.
“Is Patrik Schick in the world-class category alongside Robert Lewandowski and Erling Haaland? You only have to look at the Bundesliga scoring charts, where he’s right between the pair,” said Völler, a scorer of 132 goals in 232 Bundesliga appearances, and 1990 FIFA World Cup winner with Germany told Bundesliga.Com.
“He scored as many goals as Cristiano Ronaldo at the Euros, so was already in the world-class category, but has only got better with us this season. He has a lot of qualities: heading the ball – he’s the best at that of the [aforementioned] three. His pace. His left football is brilliant. He’s a centre-forward who can really play and also hold up the ball,” he added.
Schick has shown significant growth since making a switch to Bundesliga from AS Roma on loan. He scored 31 goals in 57 competitive games for Leverkusen. The 26-year-old has made a club record of 16 goals in the first half of the ongoing Bundesliga season including four goals scored in a match.
Furthermore, he has surpassed, Jan Koller and Pavel Kuka (both 16) as the most goal scored by a Czech national in Bundesliga. He, has, in fact recorded better minutes-per-goal in comparison to Lewandowski.
Voller also believes that Bundesliga remains the home to the three best strikers in the world. “There aren’t three centre-forwards of that calibre in England, Spain or Italy, are there?” he said. “They’re all here.”
READ MORE: Lewandowski has the edge, but Haaland is the future: Jurgen Klinsmann
Lewandowski pipped the liked of seven times Ballon d’Or holder Lionel Messi and Liverpool ace Mohamed Salah to be named the FIFA Best Men’s player 2021. It was, in fact, his second straight award to etch his name in history books as one of the greatest centre-forwards of all-time.
The Polish player went on to score 43 goals across competitions in 2021. He is also leading the goal scoring chart in the ongoing season and will remain one of the contenders for FIFA’s Best and Ballon d’Or next year.
