
Kai, you withdrew from the U19 European Championships in the summer to give yourself a break after last season. Now you're back from holiday – did you get chance to recover?
Havertz: Yes, I had about a month off and I used the time to rest and recover – including from school – and I think it’s all worked out really well.
The first days in the training camp are over. What are your impressions so far? Havertz: We've had a good start but you also see how tough it is. But that's why the pre-season is there and we've got to get through it. It's fun being back here with the lads and I think we'll have a few good days.
What are your aims the new season?
Havertz: I'd like to establish myself and get more time on the pitch. On top of that, I want to join the team in a new start and achieve our joint targets.
Last season you showed how versatile you are. But if you were the coach, where would you play yourself?
Havertz: I'm definitely a midfielder. But I'm still very young and I don't really mind where I play. The main thing is for me to play!
04 fan questions – thanks for joining in.
@Jonasovic(via Twitter): What would you have done after your A-levels if you're football career hadn't taken off so quickly?
Havertz: It's difficult to say. I've always wanted to work in sport. Of course, my aim was to end up here at some point – that is be a professional footballer. Definitely something to do with sports but I can't really imagine what that would have been exactly.
@crxfm(via Twitter): You are a very versatile player up front. But what's your favourite position?
Havertz: As I just said: I most like playing in central midfield but I don't really mind where I play at the moment – the main thing is that I'm on the pitch.
@Pat Mosby(via Facebook): Are Vladlen and Co. really better than you at FIFA?
Havertz: No, I dispute that. I just had a bad night yesterday. (He laughs) Vlad is very good but Atakan and Sam are definitely not better than me.
@Christian Waschkewitz(via Facebook): Do you have any rituals before matches?
Havertz: It wouldn't actually see ritual but perhaps a little foible: I always put on my left shin pad and then my left boot first. That's not really true ritual but that's what I do most of the time before games.

The Black and Reds kick off the new Bundesliga campaign today, Saturday 29 August (kick-off 15:30 CEST), away to newly promoted SV 07 Elversberg – and the Werkself will come up against a familiar face who is currently causing a stir at ‘Elv’. For an affordable and easy journey to the Saarland, the 1,600 travelling fans can still use the WERKSELFgo car-share platform. Today’s matchday news..
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The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
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The Bundesliga is back. On Saturday 29 August (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to SV 07 Elversberg on matchday 1 of the new season. Ahead of the clash at the URSAPHARM Arena on Kaiserlinde, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the importance of a successful start and the motivation of the league newcomers from the Saarland.
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On Friday afternoon, it will be decided which eight of the 36 participating teams Bayer 04 will face in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League in 2026/27. At the draw in Monaco (live on UEFA.com), the Werkself will be drawn against two teams from each of the four pots, allocated according to the UEFA club coefficient. A match against an opponent from the same country is ruled out, as is facing more than two clubs from the same national association. Here’s a look at the pots and potential opponents.
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After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
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