‘My first priority is to assert myself’ – Robert Andrich discusses his Bayer Leverkusen future | OneFootball

Joining Bayer Leverkusen from Union Berlin in 2021, Robert Andrich is now one of the club’s longest serving players with 153 appearances across all competitions. The Germany international will be playing under his third coach at the club after Erik ten Hag replaced Xabi Alonso, and while he wants to assert himself, the 31-year-old also can’t rule out a departure.

Speaking to Bild, Andrich said: “If I somehow notice that the coach isn’t keen on me – you might find that out over time – or that things aren’t a good fit, then I have to think about it. But my first priority is to assert myself and be the No. 1 in my position in the starting eleven. That’s the only thing that’s on my mind.”

With the arrival of Aleix Garcia and Exequiel Palacios’ return from injury, Andrich played fewer minutes (2,930 in the 2023/24 season compared to 2,206 last season) and in a World Cup year, the German wants to be at the forefront of Julian Nagelsmann’s plans.

As reported in April, Andrich has already thought about leaving Bayer Leverkusen to enhance his national team prospects. But with a desire to stay and fight for his place, the 31-year-old could yet prove important to Ten Hag.

Is Granit Xhaka on his way out at Bayer Leverkusen?

One Bundesliga and German Cup champion that does appear to be on the way out at Bayer Leverkusen is Granit Xhaka – a player whom Andrich struck up an incredible understanding with during their unbeaten double winning campaign.

Bayer Leverkusen have already rejected an €8m offer from Saudi Pro League club Neom SC for the Swiss midfielder, and now Premier League side Sunderland have entered the race to sign Xhaka.

GGFN | Daniel Pinder