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.”
The German Football Association (DFB) has officially recognised Bayer 04 as a centre for the development of female talent for the 2026/27 season. The club was awarded that role on 1 January 2026, and this status has now been renewed.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have sold young defender Andrea Natali to AZ Alkmaar on permanent terms. The 18-year-old Italian was on loan at the Dutch club last season, where he mainly played for the reserve team in the second division.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have loaned new signing Luca Erlein to newly promoted FC Energie Cottbus for the 2026/27 season. This will give him the opportunity to play in Bundesliga 2. The club signed the 19-year-old right-back on a permanent basis last week, on a contract to 30 June 2030.
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Trophies as a youth, appearances in the pro game and his first taste of international competition: new arrival Luca Erlein, who has been signed from TSG Hoffenheim, can already look back on some remarkable achievements and moments in his fledgling career. We take a closer look at the 19-year-old right-back, who can also fill other roles across the defensive line.
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