Back
24.07.2021Bayer 04

New signing Bakker: 'The lads make me feel great'

Mitchel Bakker made his debut in a Werkself shirt in the goalless friendly against SC Freiburg at the end of the training camp in Salzburger Land. The 21-year-old summer signing from Paris Saint-Germain played for over an hour. In his first press interview, the left back, signed two weeks ago, shared his views on…
crop_20210722_JS_Trainingslager_Tag7_0478.jpg

…his own style of play: I'd describe myself as an attack-minded full-back. I love getting the long diagonal passes from the centre out onto my left flank and then taking the ball with me to provide a goal threat up front.

…areas of his game he wants to work on in the coming weeks and months: I'm still very young and I can learn a lot: I'm aware of that. I can see room for improvement in certain situations in defence – and in terms of heading ability. Clearing the ball at the back isn't a problem. But I think I can pose more of a threat in attack, for example at corners. I've never scored with my head. (He laughs)

…his last season at Paris Saint-Germain where he played 40 games for the top French club: I played a lot under Thomas Tuchel (head coach at PSG up to December 2020, ed.). I played alongside the best players in the world in Paris and was on the training ground with them every day. I was able to pick up a lot, for example from players like Thiago Silva. Now I'm happy to be here and I want to play my part in this club's success.

…his targets with and at Bayer 04: I want to win every game if possible and play for the club in the Champions League. My aim is to be on the pitch week by week and help the team as much as I can.

 

20210723_JS_Trainingslager_Tag8_B04_SCF_1055.jpg

…his impression of Germany's top flight: The Bundesliga is a great league with a higher intensity than in France. Every game is hard-fought and there's plenty of competition. I'm really looking forward to finally getting started in a few weeks time.

…the team structure within the Werkself : The first days were great fun. Everybody made it as easy as possible for me and explained how things work. I know Daley (Sinkgraven, ed.) from my time at Ajax and I played alongside Jeremie (Frimpong) in the youth national team. They helped me a lot as well. All the lads make me feel great and I can hardly wait to be on the pitch with them in the Bundesliga.

 

Related News

Youth League
U19 - 08.12.2025

Youth League decider against Newcastle United: ‘It’s in our own hands - we want to take our chance."

The situation ahead of the showdown is clear - and promising. The Bayer 04 U19s host Newcastle United on the sixth and final matchday of the 2025/26 UEFA Youth League phase. A win at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium would see the Werkself go through to the knockout stages of the competition for the first time. Ahead of the clash on Wednesday, 10 December (kick-off: 14:00 CET/livestream on bayer04.de and in the Bayer 04 app), coach Kevin Brok spoke about the successful build-up, his assessment of the match and the danger of underestimating the already eliminated English side.

Show more
Bayer 04 gegen den VfB Stuttgart
Bundesliga - 08.12.2025

Tickets for the home match against VfB Stuttgart

The Werkself will host VfB Stuttgart at the BayArena on matchday 16 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season. The game is on Saturday, 10 January, at 18:30 CET. Information on ticket sales.

Show more
Bayer 04 gegen den SV Werder Bremen
Bundesliga - 08.12.2025

Tickets for the home match against Werder Bremen

The Werkself will host Werder Bremen at the BayArena on matchday 19 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season. The game is on Saturday, 24 January, at 15:30 CET. Information on ticket sales.

Show more
Simon Rolfes
U19 - 08.12.2025

Rolfes on historic Youth League opportunity: ‘I have every confidence in the lads’

In the sixth and final match of the league phase of the UEFA Youth League 2025/26, the Bayer 04 U19s have a great opportunity to advance to the knockout phase of Europe’s most prestigious youth competition for the first time. To achieve that under their own steam, they will need a win against Newcastle United at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium on Wednesday, 10 December (kick-off: 14:00 CET/ free admission). In an interview with bayer04.de, managing director sport Simon Rolfes analyses the team's performances so far and their special situation. And the 43-year-old reveals what he would be happy to do without on the day of the match.

Show more
Auslosung DFB-Pokal-Viertelfinale
DFB-Pokal - 07.12.2025

DFB Pokal 2025/26: Bayer 04 host FC St. Pauli in quarter-finals

The next opponents in the 2025/26 DFB Pokal have been announced: Bayer 04 will host Bundesliga rivals FC St. Pauli in the quarter-finals. That was the outcome of the draw held this Sunday evening, 7 December, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund, where long-time Bundesliga player and coach Friedhelm Funkel made the draw. The Werkself will play their quarter-final tie on 3-4 or 10-11 February 2026. The exact dates have yet to be finalised.

Show more