International major tournaments can be groundbreaking events for players. One moment, and the whole world knows your name.
In Patrik Schick’s case, that moment was an absurd stun, the first time, a 50-yard lob over Scotland’s David Marshall to make everyone look up and say, “wow, who’s that guy?”
And even though it’s the moment we all remember from Schick’s summer, it was not just the outrageously daring he did so well. The Czech Republic was clinical, collective and composed throughout his country’s run to the last eight of the European Championships when he impressed and surprised spectators – those who do not follow the Bundesliga, anyway.
Schick has shown his qualities throughout his time in Germany’s top flight since moving to RB Leipzig two years ago, where he resumed his career under now Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann. It was a move that signaled the end of a horror show in Roma and the rebirth of what could be a special career.
WHAT. A GOAL.
Patrik Schick scores for the Czech Republic from the halfway line. # SCO 0-2 #CZE
??? Watch live: https://t.co/XJ464KbERY#bbceuros # euro2020 pic.twitter.com/p8DjWwZeVQ
Today’s match (@BBCMOTD) June 14, 2021
During the 2019/20 season, the striker scored ten goals and two assists in just 22 Bundesliga matches, before reaching nine times and helping twice after switching to Bayer Leverkusen for the following campaign.
While his numbers are by no means blowing like the living legend Robert Lewandowski, Schick’s performances at Euro 2020 only confirmed the glimpse of pure quality he has shown over the past two seasons and proves one thing: he can truly be Lewandowski’s heir to Bayern Munich.
Before you mock, just hear me.
Poland is now 32 years old and, while his physical strength remains as a top athlete, there have been questions about where he wants to end his career, let alone who will replace him in the long run. While the Bayern Munich hierarchy will gladly deny such rumors, Lewandowski himself has admitted to being “open-minded” while Manchester City have shown continued interest.
Robert Lewandowski’s status as a Bayern player is not entirely certain / Alexander Hassenstein / Getty Images
So the question of Lewandowski’s successor at the Allianz Arena is an issue that needs to be addressed – now more than ever. And the solution may have stared them in the face for the past two years. It can only be Schick.
Like Lewandowski, Schick can do anything because he has just shown us a wonderful Euro 2020 screen.
The Czech Republic showed an ability to release deep and link games efficiently and progressively, while leaving room behind for Tomas Holes and Tomas Soucek to run forward as he drove his side up – a move we have seen endlessly among Bavaria’s midfield and attack causes complete destruction.
His ability to wander around when his side needed the extra move was also noticeable. Lewandowski, for all the goals he scores, is not just a striker. Poland is brilliant when he pushes out at or outside the marker to give new impetus – just as Schick did for the Czech Republic this summer with a surprisingly technical and tricky pair of feet for a 6 foot 1 inch frontman.
Patrik Schick was the Czech Republic’s star at Euro 2020 / ANP Sport / Getty Images
He showed his value with movement over defenders and behind the back line as well. Sometimes it was imperceptible that Schick often beat his husband and drove into threatening areas to receive the ball – in particular, he took a thumping nod against Scotland and finished clinically on volley in his side’s 2-1 quarter-final loss to Denmark.
His strength and athleticism also offer no doubt. The only proof needed of his desire and fitness is his goal to earn the Czechs a shock 2-0 victory over the Netherlands in the last 16. symbol of a ruthless striker.
Euro 2020 is really Patrik Schick’s playground?
The #CZE striker has his fourth goal of the tournament – and if nothing dramatic happens now, will the #DOWN come home? #NEDCZE | #ITVFotboll | # Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/VHdl2ps5Yx
– ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 27, 2021
Throughout the tournament, he showed a brilliant clinical distance and eventually finished the tournament as a joint top scorer with five goals – even though he missed the golden shoe when Cristiano Ronaldo managed to get an assist to manage it.
Schick showed a strength and determination worthy of a winner, impeccable technical ability and quality to produce the odd moment of jaw-dropping magic.
Before we go ahead, let’s just remember that he is nowhere near the level that Lewandowski has been at for the best part of a decade. But with his proven experience in Germany, the player’s caliber in Bayern and Nagelsmann’s guidance – which has already encouraged him to thrive in the past – there is no reason for Schick not to become a top quality center going forward if he makes the switch to Allianz, especially since he is still just 25 years old.
Lewandowski will most likely stay with the Bavarian giants this summer. But having Schick as an understudy in preparation for his chance to burst into the spotlight for the leading role in Bayern is a move worth doing.
