"At the moment, I'm probably the happiest I've been in Leverkusen." That line from Patrik Schick, speaking to bundesliga.com, sums up a start to the season that has felt both productive and settled. The Bayer Leverkusen striker has eight Bundesliga goals in his first nine league games, a new club record, and his interview made it plain that the mood around him is as strong as the numbers.
Six years into his time at the club, that is a significant thing to hear. Schick was not talking like a player merely riding a scoring streak. He sounded like someone fully at ease with his football again.
The record start behind Schick's mood
Schick's eight Bundesliga goals in nine appearances are the headline number, and they have come in 704 league minutes. The record matters here because it gives weight to what he is saying about his current place at Leverkusen. This is not just a decent run. It is the best scoring start the club have had from him.
Asked about his future, Schick told bundesliga.com: "To be honest, no, I didn't. As things stand, I'm very happy with how everything is going. That's football. You never know what's going to happen, and you really cannot plan your future because everything changes from season to season. At the moment, I'm probably the happiest I've been in Leverkusen."
That feels more persuasive when set against what he is producing on the pitch. A striker scoring at this rate will always speak with a bit more comfort, but Schick's comments also hint at something broader than form. He has been at Leverkusen long enough for that happiness line to carry some weight.
There was also a smaller personal detail in the same interview that added to the tone. Schick said David Beckham was his favourite player when he was young because he loved the way he kicked the ball. It is not central to the current story, but it fits a conversation that was more reflective than transactional.
Martínez's football and Maza's impact
A big part of Schick's enthusiasm is clearly the football itself. Speaking to bundesliga.com, he said: "Carles is a very passionate guy who is very focused on the details. I think you can see his style of play. It's what I would describe as typical Spanish football, with lots of short passes and plenty of ball possession. You could see it from the first game, and I really enjoy this kind of football. I also think the fans are coming to the stadium as they know we play good football."
That is probably the clearest explanation for why Schick sounds so settled. Strikers do not always enjoy possession-heavy football if it leaves them detached from the game, but he is scoring freely inside it. When a No. 9 is getting goals and likes the structure around him, the whole thing tends to look a lot healthier.
Schick was just as enthusiastic about Ibrahim Maza. He told bundesliga.com: "Anyone who understands football and watches him play can see that he's unbelievable. His abilities are so impressive, and he has top, top potential. I really enjoy playing with him because I think we have good chemistry and understand each other very well on the pitch."
Maza has three Bundesliga goals and three assists already, so Schick's praise is not empty flattery. It reflects a partnership that is already giving Leverkusen some edge in attack.
The optimism comes with one clear warning
Schick is upbeat about Leverkusen's position, but he did not pretend everything is solved. The club are fifth after nine Bundesliga matches, with 16 points from a record of five wins, one draw and three losses. They have also conceded 17 league goals, which explains where his caution comes from.
"We're currently in fifth, and we're still within touching distance of the top," Schick told bundesliga.com. "In terms of our performances, I think we need to focus a bit more on not conceding so many goals. I think we'll get many more points if we can improve in that area. With our quality, I think we'll always be able to score goals, and if we're able to keep clean sheets, that will help us a lot and earn us plenty of points."
That reads like a fair assessment rather than standard dressing-room optimism. Leverkusen have the goals, and Schick is a major reason why, but the defensive side is still what could hold them back.
He also pointed to bigger targets beyond the league. Speaking to bundesliga.com, Schick said: "Of course, reaching the Champions League is an important goal for the season. I think we also have good chances in the Europa League and the DFB Cup. We have two competitions in which I think we can reach the final."
The strongest takeaway from the interview is still the simplest one. Schick has eight Bundesliga goals in nine games, he says he is happier than ever at Leverkusen, and the club go into the international break sitting fifth.
FAQ
Why is Patrik Schick saying he is happier than ever at Bayer Leverkusen?
Schick said he is probably the happiest he has been at Bayer Leverkusen because he is enjoying both his own form and the team's style. He has eight Bundesliga goals in nine games, which set a new club record, and he also praised Carles Martínez's short-passing, possession-based football as a style he really enjoys playing in.
How good has Patrik Schick's start been for Bayer Leverkusen this season?
It has been excellent by any fair standard. Schick has scored eight Bundesliga goals in his first nine league appearances, and that run has set a new Bayer Leverkusen club record. He has done it in 704 Bundesliga minutes, which helps explain why his interview carried so much confidence about both his form and his place at the club.
What has Patrik Schick said about Carles Martínez and Ibrahim Maza?
Schick praised Martínez as a detail-focused coach whose team plays with lots of short passes and plenty of possession. He also spoke very highly of Ibrahim Maza, calling him unbelievable and saying they already have good chemistry on the pitch. Maza has three Bundesliga goals and three assists, so the praise is backed by production as well.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
