The goalkeepers Lennart Grill and Niklas Lomb plus homegrown player Emrehan Gedikli formed the first group of three at the performance tests at the BayArena on Monday morning. Another 13 senior players plus seven youth players followed over the course of the day. There were the usual warm greetings after the summer break with everybody in a buoyant mood and full of anticipation ahead of the forthcoming tasks.
Anticipation ahead of the performance tests was kept within bounds as Dr. Malte Krüger knows from previous years. “We are aware this day is not necessarily the most popular. (He laughs) It is a real workout as the tests last longer than a normal training day,” said the head sports scientist at Bayer 04. “But the players know the importance of this day and they see we gain important knowledge that relates to their physical condition and also benefits them and their health and fitness in the pre-season.”
Dr. Krüger also explained why he believes the performance tests have to be completed before the first session on the training ground. The 39-year-old: “On the one hand, the players come here after several weeks of individual preparation, on the other we want to identify possible deficits before the dynamic sessions on the pitch instead of afterwards.”
The Werkself players went through ten different tests in succession on Monday with the whole procedure lasting three hours for each player. Nadiem Amiri and Co. spent two thirds of the time with medical checks. They are partly prescribed by the German Football League (DFL) with Bayer 04 also carrying out additional tests. The checks include organ tests, sight tests, a dental examination, an ECG plus neurological investigations.
The traditional performance tests followed. On top of that there are strength tests on hip muscles, flexibility tests and stamina diagnostic tests – the so-called spiroergometry on a treadmill. “Players are tested to the limit without pain,” said Dr. Krüger. The tempo is increased in a five-minute rhythm with some players covering a distance of more than six kilometres at a speed of 20 kmph.
To deal with the majority of the tests on one day, several external experts are involved including the German Sports University (Spoho) in Cologne, and Bayer 04 have worked with them on the performance tests for several years.
Working with the club’s sports scientists, team doctors, fitness coaches and physiotherapists, the tests can provide basic conclusions for course of the season. “The investigations we complete each year are obviously very comprehensive and involved. But we gain important knowledge that enables us to assess the players’ development, reveal deficits and do preventive work.”
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have loaned new signing Luca Erlein to newly promoted FC Energie Cottbus for the 2026/27 season. This will give him the opportunity to play in Bundesliga 2. The club signed the 19-year-old right-back on a permanent basis last week, on a contract to 30 June 2030.
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Trophies as a youth, appearances in the pro game and his first taste of international competition: new arrival Luca Erlein, who has been signed from TSG Hoffenheim, can already look back on some remarkable achievements and moments in his fledgling career. We take a closer look at the 19-year-old right-back, who can also fill other roles across the defensive line.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Germany U19 international Luca Erlein from Hoffenheim. The 19-year-old right-back, who is capable of playing in various defensive positions, has penned a contract until 30 June 2030.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen has a new coffee partner. The club has agreed a long-term partnership with the Bocholt-based roastery Imping, running to 30 June 2031. The exclusive partnership with the family-run business includes the installation of fully automatic coffee machines at the BayArena, as well as the right to supply and serve coffee products in the business areas during Werkself home games.
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