For the primary time in historical past, Bayer Leverkusen have received the Bundesliga.
They’ve ended Bayern Munich’s strangehold on German soccer, being led by Xabi Alonso from the dugout.
To get there, he sought to construct on the membership’s present expertise, but in addition introduced in some high quality gamers from the Premier League, who’ve greater than repaid his religion.
Listed below are the previous stars of the Premier League who’ve contributed to Leverkusen’s success.
When Granit Xhaka threw his captain’s armband to the ground and willingly invited the furore of Arsenal followers in October 2019, it was laborious to think about him ever reviving his profession whether or not in north London or elsewhere.
He had half a foot out the door to an bold – however finally a failed – venture at Hertha Berlin earlier than being satisfied to remain on the Emirates Stadium by Mikel Arteta.
Earlier than ultimately departing the Gunners for good in 2023, Xhaka re-established status as gifted midfielder. By the point he made his return to the Bundesliga with Leverkusen, he was a dependable and senior presence.
That is helped mature Alonso’s younger stars. Along with the skilled Robert Andrich, Xhaka has marshalled a midfield which has inspired their attacking expertise to flourish.
As soon as upon a time, Jeremie Frimpong was on the books at Manchester Metropolis. In reality, he spent a whopping 9 years of their youth ranks, however made the smart transfer to Celtic earlier than enjoying a senior recreation.
Whereas in Glasgow, Frimpong established himself as one in every of Europe’s finest up-and-coming right-backs, making the transfer to Leverkusen in 2021.
It wasn’t till Alonso’s arrival that Frimpong’s humungous expertise started to burst on the seams. Within the Spaniard’s 3-4-3 this season, the Dutchman has contributed eight targets and eight assists in 27 Bundsliga matches. These are higher numbers than these for lots of top-class wingers.
Having did not make the grade at Arsenal after which solely displaying his high quality in bursts within the senior ranks of Southampton, Nathan Tella made essentially the most of his likelihood to impress on mortgage at Championship winners Burnley final season.
Leverkusen snapped the versatile ahead – who’s performed in an identical wing-back function to Frimpong as effectively – for a cool £20m and has championed the squad’s next-man-up mentality.
The principle drawback stopping high expertise Matej Kovar from enjoying extra often for Leverkusen is he performs the identical place as membership captain Lukas Hradecky. Properly, that and you may solely play one goalkeeper at a time.
There was discuss of Kovar doubtlessly succeeding David de Gea at Manchester United final summer season earlier than he signed for Leverkusen on a £7.7m deal. He is at the very least had an opportunity to earn some main minutes of their DFB Pokal and Europa League runs.
Congratulations to United academy graduate Timothy Fosu-Mensah, who has not performed a single minute all season as a result of harm and health issues however at the very least has the prospect to be given a shoutout on this article.