Karim Bellarabi and Julian Brandt were third and fourth amongst the wingers with Kevin Volland in eighth spot. In the view of the Kicker editors Bellarabi was only outdone by Henrikh Mkhitaryan (BVB) and Franck Ribéry (Bayern). Julian Brandt is top in the next section with the following assessment: “When his name came up for inclusion there was a thorough discussion of his making the International class. With his goals and assists in the last ten games Julian Brandt showed his outstanding quality. Great on the ball, a good shot on the turn and brilliant technique – Brandt’s potential is indisputable.”
The assessment of Kevin Volland: “Three goals, seven assists and an average mark of 3.09. His run-in played a great part in keeping TSG Hoffenheim up after a catastrophic first half of the season.”
Amongst the strikers, Chicharito was listed in the International class for the second time in succession as was Borussia Dortmund forward Aubameyang. Bayern’s Robert Lewandowski was the only attacking player to make it to the ‘World class’ category. The Kicker assessment of ‘Chicha’: “On the verge of ‘World class’ in the first half of the season but he was unable to maintain his impressive number of goals and assists.” And on Stefan Kießling: “Once a striker, today a provider. The worker in Leverkusen rarely gets a chance to finish. Other players convert his handiwork into goals.”
Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
Show more
Bayer 04 are away to third-division club SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal. That was the outcome of the draw on Saturday night, 6 June, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The Werkself first round tie will be played between 21 and 24 August. The exact date has yet to be finalised.
Show more
Carles Martìnez is raring to go. The 42-year-old speaks in his first interview in Leverkusen about the club's development to date and how he wants to build on it. He describes his previous work in France, Kuwait, Qatar and his native Barcelona, his experience in developing young players, and the key steps between now and the start of pre-season training.
Show more
New Bayer 04 head coach Carles Martínez has arrived in Leverkusen! At midday on Friday, the 42-year-old spoke in a press conference at the BayArena about his philosophy and his aims. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes also discussed the reasons for appointing the former Toulouse boss.
Show more
