Wendell, Bailey and Co.: How are they getting on?

Mitchell Weiser – Werder Bremen (on loan)

Bayer 04 have loaned Mitchell Weiser to Werder Bremen for the 2021/22 season. Since his arrival in Bremen on deadline day (31 August), the 5 foot 9 full-back has been working with coach Markus Anfang. The right-back has played four second division games so far – against FC Ingolstadt (3-0), Hamburg SV (0-2), Dynamo Dresden (0-3) and FC Heidenheim. In his first appearance in a Werder shirt, the 27-year-old scored his first goal against Ingolstadt. After the international break, Bremen, currently in eighth place on 14 points in the second tier, have an away game at Darmstadt 98 (17 October, kick-off: 13.30 CEST).

Joel Pohjanpalo – Caykur Rizespor (on loan)

Joel Pohjanpalo has been in search of goals in the Süper Lig with Caykur Rizespor since the start of September. The Finn has scored two goals in four games for his new club – both against top team Galatasaray (2-3). For Pohjanpalo's loan club, the past few weeks have been anything but positive: Rizespor have only picked up one point in the first eight league matches and are currently bottom of the Süper Lig. Will the first victory of the season come after the international break? On Saturday, 16 October (kick-off: 12.30 CEST), Pohjanpalo and Co. are in action against next to bottom Giresunspor (five points).

Lennart Grill – SK Brann Bergen (on loan)

The third Bayer 04 player, currently on loan at another club, is Lennart Grill. Bayer 04 have loaned out the 6 foot 2 shot-stopper to SK Brann Bergen until the end of the season, which in Norway runs to the middle of December. He started the last four league matches and along with his team is still unbeaten (two wins, two draws). Brann Bergen are looking to stay up in the top-flight – so the recent points are even more important. After 21 games, Grill's loan club are 14th in the table, which would put them in the play-offs. There are currently four points away from safety.

Yannik Schlößer – FC Nürnberg Reserves (on loan)

Bayer 04 loaned out the talented striker Yannick Schlößer to Nürnberg in the summer. The 19-year-old has made 14 appearances (six in the starting line-up) in the Bavarian Regional League for the club from Nuremberg. Schlößer has scored one goal and provided two assists. The team from Franconia are currently fourth from bottom with 15 points after 16 games under coach Cristian Fiel.

Leon Bailey – Aston Villa

Three wins, one draw three defeats – Aston Villa made a solid start to the season in the Premier League. The former Werkself player Leon Bailey has been involved in two goals (one goal, one assist). The 24-year-old winger has only made three brief appearances for the Birmingham club so far – the Jamaican was not in the squad for the last two matches. The reason: In the 3-0 victory against Everton – Bailey scored the third goal – he picked up a thigh injury. Will Bailey be available on the next matchday? Aston Villa entertain Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, 16 October (kick-off: 16.00 CEST).

Wendell – FC Porto

This season there are again three teams fighting to win the Portuguese Priemeira Liga in Benfica (top, 21 points, FC Porto (second, 20 points) and Sporting (third, 20 points). Fully involved is the former Bayer 04 player Wendell. The 28-year-old has played for Porto since August and he has made six appearances (four in the league and two in the Champions League). Wendell scored his first goal for Porto on the last matchday in the 2-1 win against Pacos Ferreira. After the international break the team coached by Sérgio Conceicao play third division Sport Uniao Sintrense in the third round of the Portuguese domestic cup competition (15 October, 19.45 CEST).

Tin Jedvaj – Lokomotiv Moscow

Lokomotiv Moscow are currently fourth in the Russian Premier Liga. Tin Jedvaj's new club have collected 17 points in the first 10 league matches and are only six points behind the current league leaders Zenit St. Petersburg. The Croat has made seven appearances for the club from the Russian capital – with Jedvaj in the starting line-up, Lok have secured two wins and four draws. After the international break the next opponents are Rubin Kazan (16 October, 16.30 CEST).

Demarai Gray – Everton

Seven games, three goals and one assist – that is the current Premier League record for Demarai Gray. The 25-year-old, who played for Bayer 04 in the second half of last season, is now plying his trade for Everton. The Toffees have 14 points from their first seven games and are currently fifth in the table two points behind league leaders Chelsea. On Sunday, 17 October (kick-off: 15.00 CEST) the team led by head coach Rafael Benitez play West Ham United currently ninth in the table.

Aleksandar Dragovic – Red Star Belgrade

Apart from his loan spell at Leicester City (2017/18), Aleksander Dragovic wore the Bayer 04 shirt for four years. In the summer, the Vienna-born player sought a new challenge and he decided to join the Serbia record champions Red Star Belgrade. The defender has made 15 appearances (one goal, one assist) to date. The team currently have to manage without him: Dragovic has recently tested positive for coronavirus and is currently in self-isolation.

Cem Türkmen – Austria Lustenau

For Cem Türkmen this summer was a question of: “Bye bye, Bayer 04” and “Bonjour, Clermont Foot.” The 19-year-old central midfielder is now under contract at the French top-flight club but he has been loaned out to Austrian second division club Austria Lustenau to the end of the season. Türkmen has made four starts in the first ten league games. His club are currently top of the table with 27 points with a six-point lead over Liefering.