Scintillating Sam relishing brilliant start

Sam has scored six goals and provided four assists this Bundesliga season, to sit equal-top of the golden boot standings and helping Leverkusen to within one point of league leaders Bayern Munich through eight games.

Sam - a four-time capped German international - said he was thrilled with his goal-scoring form.

"Well, I'm fit again and really enjoying my football. The goals are coming as well, and I'm just happy everything's going so well," Sam said.

"We aim to win every game and we don't need to be afraid of anybody," Sam said.

"We just have to keep putting in 100 per cent effort and focus, and then we're always capable."

"Obviously Bayern are always there or thereabouts at the top, all you can do is maybe wait for them to slip up in one or two games and try and make sure you win yourself at the same time," Sam said.

"Then you might just be in with a shout, but you never know."

Sam's fellow attacker Stefan Kiessling said their up-front partnership, along with South Korean Son Heung-Min was proving fruitful.

Kiessling, last year's golden boot winner in the Bundesliga, said his team-mates enjoyed not always taking the glory by scoring.

"We combine well together, and we're always looking to play each other in, so hopefully we can keep it going," Kiessling said.