With the new Bundesliga season fast approaching, Bayer have high hopes for another successful season under manager Roger Schmidt. The team from Leverkusen secured a third place finish, with much of their success due to the performances of some of the squad’s youngest players. Outside90 takes a look at five young stars who can help make a difference in the new campaign
Hakan Calhanoglu
The 21-year-old Turkish international joined Leverkusen from Hamburg in last season’s summer transfer window and has already had a significant impact on the team’s performances. With an incredible eye for goal from dead-ball situations, Calhanoglu has gathered a reputation as one of the best free kick takers in the Bundesliga.
Going into his second season for the Werkself, Calhanoglu will be key to any success Bayer achieve. The young midfielder played in 33 Bundesliga games last season, notching up 13 goals and 11 assists in all competitions. If he is to carry this form on into the upcoming season, Bayer will most definitely be a force to reckon with.
Julian Brandt
Julian Brandt is a player who has been on the radar of some very big clubs for a while now and is rated very highly by Leverkusen director of football Rudi Völler. Brandt played a total of 35 games last season, scoring four goals and producing five assists. For a 19 year old who only made 15 starts, it is an impressive contribution.
Brandt his season with a goal on his birthday against Bayern Munich and a call up to the German squad for the under-20 World Cup. He played five times in the tournament, earning himself two goals and one assist. His performances have even caught the eye of senior international boss Joachim Löw. According to a report by Bild, Brandt is on the radar for the Euro 2016 squad.
An electric winger with an eye for a goal, Brandt is a player to keep an eye on for the coming season. He is not worried about making all the headlines, as long as his team is winning he is happy. A mature head on him for a 19-year-old, something that will benefit his career in the future.
Tin Jedvaj
At the other end of the field is versatile defender Tin Jedvaj, a player who has not received as much attention as he should do. Whether that is down to his constant injury problems, or people just simply not noticing his ability. Initially signed on loan from Italian side AS Roma, Schmidt decided to sign him on a permanent contract after he impressed in his first 14 games for Bayer. The 19-year-old appears to be an absolute bargain for a reported fee £4.9million.
Though his season may have been slowed down through injuries when Jedvaj has had the chance to play, he has been excellent. Competition for places between him and Roberto Hilbert has been fierce, which has brought the best out of each other. Jedvaj’s unique ability to play multiple positions is one that will help the team out greatly in the coming season. With Kyriakos Papadopoulos being so injury prone, Jedvaj will provide great cover for him at centre-back as well as play his usual role of right back.
Wendell
A surprise package last season, the Brazilian full-back was signed from Brazilian outfit Londrina, after completing a successful loan spell at Gremio. The tricky left-back only managed to pick up one goal last season as well as two assists in 26 league games, initially struggling to come to terms with Roger Schmidt’s unique, high-intensity way of playing.
However, towards the back end of the season Wendell impressed. The system helped him improve his defensive capabilities, as well as allowing him to get forward at will. He had the freedom to attack knowing that there was someone always covering him, which is a benefit to the ‘gegenpressing’ system. Next season you can expect big things from Wendell, as he will be keen to rack up more goals and assists as Bayer press for a top-four finish again.
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Jonathan Tah
Finally, the newest signing on the list. Jonathan Tah was bought from fellow Bundesliga side Hamburger SV for a reported sum of €7.5million. The German under-19 captain spent last season out on loan at 2. Bundesliga side Fortuna Düsseldorf, making 23 appearances in their tenth-place finish. Tah stands at an imposing 6’4”, possessing a physical advantage over many players in the league at just 19 years of age.
Calm and composed on the ball, Tah is the youngest debutant ever to play for Hamburg at 17. Hamburg have treated Bayer in recent years, selling talents such as Hakan Calhanoglu and Heung-Min Son to the Werkself. Tah has the potential to be just as successful as those two, and could be the perfect partner for Omer Toprak.
All stats and figures are courtesy of Transfermarkt.
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