Julian Brandt needed to leave Bayer Leverkusen to prove himself | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Julian Brandt has revealed that he needed to leave Bayer Leverkusen to get out of his comfort zone and to develop himself as a player.

“After spending five-and-a-half years at Leverkusen, I simply had to get out of my comfort zone to develop and prove myself once again,” Brandt told Sport Bild.

“That’s the only way I can improve. A new club always means a new challenge and new competition. That’s what I needed in the summer.”

The Germany international is finally playing in midfield at Borussia Dortmund, a role that he’s more familiar with.

“I feel really good there,” added Brandt. “I waited a long time to be able to show what I can do in the middle. When I played up top, I was also in a central position but playing as a striker wasn’t easy for me. I’m not a player like Romelu Lukaku.

“I wouldn’t say I was in a slump before but I sense that I’m on my way back to my old strength and feel really good on the pitch.”