Back
2.12.2021Bayer 04

Frimpong isn't thinking of heavy legs: 'I love this game'

He is the outfield player with the most minutes on the pitch (1,766) of all the Bayer 04 players this term: Jeremie Frimpong has developed into an absolute key player under head coach Gerardo Seoane. Despite only being 20 years old, the Netherlands U21 international, who joined Bayer 04 from Celtic last winter, is currently an integral part of the side. In a media interview, the right back spoke about the differences between the Scottish Premiership and the Bundesliga as well as his recipe for avoiding heavy legs.
crop_20211128_JS_RBL_B04_2065.jpg

Jeremie, what's your impression of the team at the moment?

Frimpong: Training is good and the team is generally in good shape. We've won the last three games and built up a lot of confidence. That's how we have to, and want to, carry on up to the winter break.

You scored your first Bundesliga goal in the 3-1 win against RB Leipzig.

Frimpong: It was really great and also very important in a game against a very good opponent. But I’m not resting on that moment of success but continuing to work hard on my game. There's a long way to go in this season.

 

crop_20211128_JS_RBL_B04_1872.jpg

You joined Bayer 04 from Celtic a year ago. What differences have you identified up to now between the Scottish Premiership and the Bundesliga?

Frimpong: It took a while to settle in here but it was a big step forward for me. Every game in the Bundesliga is hard-fought, intensive and tough. You can never take it easy even against the team bottom of the table. There are lots of young, fresh and quick lads here while opponents in Scotland often included several older players.

Your former club from Glasgow was one of the two top teams in Scotland. You often had to go into every game with a very attacking approach as the opponents used to defend deep.

Frimpong: At Celtic we usually always had the ball except for possibly against Rangers, Hibs or Aberdeen. As a defender I was mostly involved up front as well. I have to be everywhere in the Bundesliga now: attacking and defending. But that's great fun and it presents me with new challenges.

This season, you've got the most minutes on the pitch of all outfield players in the Werkself squad. How’s your fitness going into the run-in to the end of the year?

Frimpong: Of course, you do get heavy legs but you mustn't think about it. You have to recover well, sleep a lot and eat well. In addition: I love this game. Being on the pitch in every match is the best thing that can happen to a football player.

 

Related News

Ansetzungen 16 bis 19
Women - 23.12.2025

Women: Home derby on a Friday night - matchdays 16 - 19 scheduled

Two Saturdays, one Friday and one Sunday: The dates for the Bayer 04 Women's team games on matchdays 16 to 19 have been finalised. Three of the four matches scheduled by the German Football Association (DFB) on Tuesday will be played at home at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium.

Show more
Bayer 04 besucht die Kinderstation des Klinikums Leverkusen
Werkself-TV - 22.12.2025

Werkself bring festive cheer to Leverkusen hospital

The Werkself rang in the Black and Red festive season with an emotional visit to Klinikum Leverkusen. Kristin Kögel, Melissa Friedrich and Louisa Remien from the Bayer 04 Women's team and Jonas Hofmann, Janis Blaswich and Niklas Lomb from the first team visited the young patients on the children's ward and, for the first time, on the ‘Zeitinsel’ children's palliative care unit. They brought a host of lovingly wrapped presents ensuring a big surprise for young and old alike.

Show more
Marokko gegen die Komoren
Bayer 04 - 22.12.2025

AFCON blog: Morocco with Ben Seghir kick off with a win - trio start on Christmas Eve

Four Bayer 04 players are in action at the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations being played in Morocco from 21 December to 18 January 2026: Eliesse Ben Seghir for the hosts, Edmond Tapsoba with Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Maza for Algeria and Christian Kofane with Cameroon. Updates on the AFCON matches involving Werkself players...

Show more
Friederike Repohl und Roberto Pätzold
Women - 21.12.2025

Bayer 04 Women ‘can’t just sit back’ against leaders Bayern

Bayer 04 Women finish 2025 with the first game of the second half of the Google Pixel Bundesliga season as they host defending champions and league leaders Bayern Munich at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion on Monday. Kick-off is at 18:00 CET. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the Matchday 14 encounter.

Show more