Analysing Bayer Leverkusen’s transfer window | OneFootball

Bayer Leverkusen have been the talk of the Bundesliga and the busiest side in the transfer window this season, with 16 incomings and 17 outgoings.

However, the sacking of Erik ten Hag after only two league games in charge has now changed the perception of the club’s summer. The past three months have been somewhat of a waste of preparation time.

Despite the decision to sack ten Hag, looking back at the window, it will be a focus on only the signings made.

Bayer Leverkusen’s Departures:

Before we can talk about the arrivals, we have to talk about Bayer Leverkusen’s departures. They have been completely gutted as a team. Losing every key player from the past two seasons.

The players that were obviously going to leave were Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Jonathan Tah. All of whom will be difficult to replace in their own degree, but especially Wirtz, who is a one of a kind and a generational player.

On top of this, the departure of Tah saw a big leader in the team leave. Then the unexpected departures of Granit Xhaka and Lukas Hradecky have completely ripped out the leadership spine in the team, meaning the likes of Robert Andrich and Patrik Schick now need to step up.

The other important departure is Piero Hincapié. The Ecuadorian’s move to Arsenal means that Leverkusen have lost another key piece in their defence; however, the incomings should help.

Other big names to leave are Amine Adli and Victor Boniface. Both are players who could have delivered so much, but have been far too inconsistent.

The number of players departing has meant that Leverkusen have little structure left in their starting 11 and must start again from ground zero with a new set ot players, which takes us to their departure.

Bayer Leverkusen’s Arrivals:

This summer, Bayer Leverkusen have spent €198.15m on what is basically a brand new squad; however, die Werkself have been forced into this position due to the vast departures.

On paper, their incomings are all interesting. The centre-back pairing of Jarell Quansah and Loïc Bade both bring promise and will massively help Edmond Tapsoba in the defence, with the former Liverpool defender being one of the better Leverkusen players in the opening games.

The signing of Lucas Vazquez raises questions about his physical ability at 34, but from an experience point of view, it is needed.

In midfield, Ezeqiuel Fernandez and even Malik Tillman will bring a different dynamic to Exequiel Palacios, Aleix Garcia and Robert Andrich.

In the attack, that is where Bayer Leverkusen have invested the most.

Tillman already looks like a good signing from PSV Eindhoven. Claudio Echeverri has already brought much-needed dynamism to the attack in the opening games. The late signing Eliesse Ben Seghir has the prospect to bring another dynamic, while Ibrahim Maza and Christian Kofane are both signings for the future.

Will this quintet be able to replace the impact of Wirtz? Potentially

Bayer Leverkusen’s transfer window summary:

The sacking of ten Hag has completely changed the perception of Bayer Leverkusen’s window now. Whoever the new head coach is, they must be able to come in and immediately get the best out of these players and help them all gel quickly.

There is a great depth of quality, especially in attack, so the new head coach must be attack-focused and should also be able to develop them to be sold at a later date.

This significantly reduces the potential candidates, and the best names to fit this role are Ange Postecoglou (most likely too expensive), Lucien Favre and Marco Rose.

In isolation, Leverkusen have suffered in losing so many players, but have done as best as they can to replace them. The next problem will be who will be the next head coach, which is even more crucial.

GGFN | Jack Meenan