The DFB vote is a logical result of an outstanding six months for Benjamin Henrichs. The midfielder, at Leverkusen since 2004, established a place in the Bayer 04 first team squad in the second half of the last Bundesliga campaign – in the unusual position of full back. Henrichs was also one of the best German players at this summer’s Under 19 European Championships staged in Germany. Kai Havertz won the German U17 league title with Bayer 04 in June and, as a midfielder, he netted an impressive 18 goals in the U17 Bundesliga last term.
Schmidt: “Proof of outstanding youth development policy”
“The pair not just incredibly talented but also very ambitious and keen to learn. On top of that, I am very pleased for the club. Benny started here with the U8s and Kai has been here four years. These medals are proof of the outstanding youth development policy at Bayer 04 and, not least, the work of our youth coaches,” said Roger Schmidt who took Henrichs and Havertz to the training camp in Zell am See-Kaprun. Jonas Boldt, sporting manager at Bayer 04, takes a similar view: “The two medals are a positive sign for the whole club. Benjamin Henrichs and Kai Havertz show us we’re on the right track as a club to produce players. Talented youngsters have the best conditions here to enable them to develop.”
Henrichs responded to his selection: “This medal is brilliant. I’d like to thank all the coaches at Bayer 04 who have looked after me since the U8s. Roger Schmidt has also played a big part in this award. He put me in a new position where I was able to play ten games in the Bundesliga last season. I probably wouldn’t have won the medal if I hadn’t made those appearances. This award is a vote of confidence in me and also serves as great motivation.”
Famous predecessors
Henrichs also succeeds Jonathan Tah who won the gold Fritz Walter medal in the U19 category last year. In 2014 there was gold and silver in the U18s for Julian Brandt and Levin Öztunali. Brandt also picked up silver as a U17 in 2013 with Dominik Kohr winning the bronze as a U19 and in 2012 as a U18. Before that, Bayer 04 winners of Fritz Walter medals were Kolja Pusch (bronze in 2010 with the U17s), Marcel Risse (bronze in 2008 with the U19s), Richard Sukuta-Pasu (bronze in 2008 with the U18s), Stefan Reinartz (bronze in 2007 with the U18s) and Nils Teixeira (bronze 2007 with the U17s).
Gold for new signing Ehegötz
Bayer 04 new signing Nina Ehegötz was winner for the women’s youth section picking up a gold Fritz Walter medal after earning the silver last year. The talented striker and Germany U19 international joined the Werkself women from FC Köln in the summer.
