
What do you think you have to achieve and would you be really disappointed if you couldn't make it? (@Amy, via Twitter)
Julian Brandt: "I'd definitely be disappointed if I didn't manage to win a title during my career. Then I don't think I'd be able to stop playing football – I'd be happy to stand at the corner flag and watch as my team-mates win the title (he laughs). No, to be serious: Winning a title is definitely one of the things I have to achieve."
Who would you most like to meet? (Yvonne Heilmann, via Facebook)
Julian Brandt: (thinks about it) "I can't think of anybody in particular at the moment who I want to emulate or see as a role model – not athletes, actors or politicians even though there a lot of cool people. But I don't dream about having to get to know somebody."
Were you able to enjoy your holiday? (Nico Jager, via Facebook)
Julian Brandt: "Yes, I was really able to enjoy my holiday – the four weeks and the holiday with my family were great."
What effect does the team have on you – as things stand? (Marcel Kirchhoff, via Facebook)
Julian Brandt: "I was able to follow a couple of the games in the pre-season - including via the live stream. I think the team look very solid: We've won the first four friendlies and all without conceding. Of course, there were opponents we had to beat but I think the lads have performed pretty well. And now everybody's determined to make progress in training. I think we'll get up to speed over the next two weeks so we're ready to go in the new season."


The Golden Boy Top 100 traditionally lists Europe’s most promising young players. In the latest update, published to mark the start of the new season, four current Werkself players – alongside loanee Francis Onyeka – feature on the list. This means Bayer 04 have the most players in contention of any Bundesliga club.
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Goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe will continue to play for Bayer 04 Leverkusen next season. The loan of the Germany U23 international, who joined from Liverpool in the winter, has been extended by a further year.
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The Bayer 04 delegation, led by Fernando Carro, CEO, concluded their multi-day trip to Brazil with a visit to the community-based organisation Bola Pra Frente in Rio de Janeiro – founded by former Werkself player Jorginho. During the visit, Bayer 04 committed to extending support for the Bola Pra Frente project for a further five years. In addition, Jorginho, a member of the Brazil 1994 World Cup-winning squad, was named Bayer 04’s second official club legend. With the visit to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the club has strengthened the relationships built up over the years in one of Bayer 04’s most important international markets.
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Ten years after retiring as a player, Kristina Sundov is returning to the Bayer 04 Women’s team as assistant coach. The 39-year-old former Croatia international takes over from Remzi Kahraman, who has taken up a new challenge abroad. She has been given a contract to 30 June 2028.
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The training pitches at the BayArena are already buzzing with activity again, even before training officially begins next week. On Monday morning, a small group from the Werkself first-team squad completed a session lasting around an hour. Both new and familiar faces were present.
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