Leverkusen does not want to be satisfied with the price of the “tube of the season“. After having been a spectator of Leicester 2016, Monaco 2017, or Ajax 2019, the German club is aware of the danger that awaits it: that of seeing its best elements fly away after a historic season, and of having to start from (almost) nothing. This is why the club’s boss, Fernando Carro, had taken the lead by securing his coach Xabi Alonso in March. A way, also, of inviting his players to stay, and to “to love“one last time together facing the mountain that stands before them: that of confirmation.
With a return to the Champions League, two years after being eliminated in the group stage, the The Workself want to continue the adventure on their little cloud, perched up there. In this regard, Xabi Alonso did not suffer from any major departures this summer, except for that of Croatian defender Josip Stanišić, who returned from his loan at Bayern Munich. In terms of arrivals, the big shot Martin Terrier and the hopeful Jeanuël Belocian arrived from Rennes for 35 million euros (respectively 20 and 15), while Aleix Garcia, one of the best midfielders in La Liga last year, arrived from Girona for 18 million euros.
The frames are still there
As for the headliners of the historic season, no departures are to be reported. Announced at Real Madrid, Barça, Bayern Munich, and a little everywhere in Europe, Florian Wirtz remains to this day a Leverkusen player, just like the electric Jeremie Frimpong, however mentioned on the radars of Liverpool or Manchester City. Captain Jonathan Tah, whose arrival at Bayern Munich seemed a done deal before the Euro, has still not left either. “I am planning my plans with Jonathan. I have not received any news, he is with us, he is part of our plans and is very important”said Xabi Alonso about him this Friday at a press conference, specifying that Adam Hlozek, condemned to a supporting role last year, should leave (logically to Hoffenheim).
Goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky, defenders Edmond Tapsoba, courted by PSG, and Piero Hincapié, whose profile is praised in England, took part in Leverkusen’s preparation matches, as did Granit Xhaka and German international Robert Andrich, who also extended his contract until 2028 this week. Spanish European champion Alejandro Grimaldo, as impressive as he was last year, confirmed that he would be there this season, as did the revelation Victor Boniface, or Argentinian world champion and two-time winner of the Copa América, Exequiel Palacios. It is therefore with a light mind that Xabi Alonso can approach this new season, which begins tomorrow with a pleasant meeting: against Stuttgart, in the German Super Cup (8:30 p.m.).
